Fantasy ♞Legends of Leohain♞ (Medieval High Fantasy - Main - CLOSED)

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium
Interacting with: sraes ​

Even still, as anguish contorted the healer’s face, it appeared as though the tiefling’s verbal onslaught was nearing a secondary volley of fire. His voice held no sympathy for them or any of those they had lost thus far to this war, his tone very well suggesting their deserve such; perhaps far more. If he cared so little about making his own sister cry, he wasn’t the slightest bit remorseful about doing the same to Helewys. They’d come asking for it the moment they sought him out, even more so when they’d gotten physical. If that hadn’t been the case, Anziium would have removed himself from the engagement entirely; they wouldn’t be at this point.

His poison-laden words would never come though, they promptly crammed down his throat as the force behind Helewys’s fist came full-force into the center of his face. The impact against the stall door intermingling with the piercing cry of the horse very briefly slowed down time around him, cushioning him from the reality that he’d just gotten his face socked in. It wouldn’t last very long, the very blood that trickled from either nostril putting him back into focus as the steady trickle ran over his top lip.

It wouldn’t be far-fetched if the entirety of the Keep had managed to make out the long string of curses that erupted from Anziium’s mouth, either of his hands rising to cover his nose as the pain spidered throughout his face. Pained tears sprung up in his eyes, adding to the wet mix that was already streaking down his face. As they shut tight for the briefest of moments, they’d reopen to Helewys not even a hair’s breadth away. Needless to say, the tiefling violently flinched away, expecting another fist to come flying at his face. If the door behind him was any lower, he’d have tumbled clean over it and joined whatever poor mount rest inside.

It would come to seem that Helewys’s point had been made, the tiefling now deathly silent as he pressed himself against the wooden door, attempting to get further away from them than what was possible.

“What are you good for other than alienating everyone around you, leaving your own sister in tears as you run away to hide?"​

“I--!” He fumbled, willing his brain to churn out something, anything he was even remotely skilled at. Yet nothing came to mind, nothing that could even begin to be something of a redeeming quality. It seemed as though Helewys already covered the entirety of his “skillset” and beyond that, well, there wasn’t much else. Failing to pipe up further, his bronze gaze drifted to the flooring below as the very obvious reality that Fara belonged here far more than he did. While he did have some magics, it wasn’t anything nearly as impressive as his sister, nothing showy like the fire-mote display. Hell, he could barely keep himself composed for even the simplest of things, for example, changing conversation to a subject that didn’t devolve into a fight. Staying home would have been the smarter choice, but what good would that have done? He’d heard how everyone else back home spoke of him, how much of a burden he was to them as he was now. Doing something like this, something for them, as well as others, had sounded the better option. Now though? He was certain…

"If you are going to act like a petulant child maybe you should have just stayed at home."​

“I know...” He mumbled, it a muffled excuse of an answer from between his bloody fingers.

 

[TheCrowKing]

Jonako
Interacting: Hawke.
Mentioning: Sleipnir Anyone/Everyone at the table
​

It would become quite clear that this odd act wasn’t uncommon for this creature, he resituating himself in no time upon Robert’s shoulder. Again, all claws were sheathed and didn’t once dig into the flesh beneath his clothing as he sat. A brief, appreciative heatbutt grazed the young lord’s chin to signal he was quite satisfied with his current position and was alright where he was.

Uncertain as to whether his risky actions would have turned in his favor, the little feline let out a small sigh of relief as they removed themselves from the window. Although it could have led to a less desirable result, he was pleased with how it had went, he now inside the Keep so that he might carry out his evaluation of the others without outright risking himself.
Lifting his gaze to stare at the reassuring ginger, he felt as though he spoke the truth, but such statement had yet to be seen. At the very least, this one appears to be safe enough to linger around for now.

As they came to be seated at the table he had previously peered upon from the edge of the window, the feline was now able to get a better view at the variety of individuals dining there. While he was going to give it a few moments before he had moved to investigate, Silvyr had already taken the initiative to do such. A bit surprised, but not opposed to such, the tom outstretched his head to receive the kind-hearted attention. Truly curious as to the reactions of others, he carefully removed himself from Robert’s shoulders to stroll along the tabletop, intentionally avoiding coming too close to their food, but gingerly engaging with any all that seemed approachable.

If trouble arose, he’d certainly leap down and return to the head chair.

 

[Hawke.]

♞ Guard, main gate, interacting with Mordag Rattlebones ♞
As Mordag approached the large, wooden gates she might have noticed a much smaller door open to allow a rather large badgerfolk in full armor exit. He stood at attention, one arm behind his back and one gripping a spear. "What business do you have at Umbra Keep!" It was not a question, but a demand as he stood there with his chest puffed out.
Another head poked through the door, this one a rabbitfolk. "And if you're from Kester begone before we slit your tendons, wench!" This remark made the badger snarl and jab at the rabbit with the butt of his spear, narrowly missing the swift creature as it pulled its head back inside. "Let me handle this Bramblehook, you got the last one."
The badgerfolk huffed and shook his head.
"As I was saying!-"

Another voice spoke then, a man, "She is with me, and we bring news from Alban." The sound of hoofbeats echoed off the walls as the man rode next to Mordag, "Ser Aldwin Merrick, at your service." He said, bowing slightly to the guard. "Forgive us for showing up on such short notice but this is urgent, there was no time to send a note."
The badgerfolk squinted, looking the man up and down and sniffing the air around the pair. He walked around them as if looking for some sign they might be lying, but once he had had a good hobble around the pair he grumbled and nodded. "Open the gates!"
"What?"
"Open! the! gates!"
"Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Bramblehook you-" He huffed and growled. "Bramblehook, dear, please open the gates."
"Of course!"

Soon, the gates opened just enough to allow Aldwin and Mordag to ride through single file. "Thank you!" Aldwin called, kicking his palomino into a trot. "Come along, assistant!"

♞ Doggy, courtyard, Basite infectedmouth ♞
The dog only snarled and snapped its jaws at Basite at first, lunging and then pulling away as if testing his dexterity before finally, with an a guttural snarl that almost sounded more like a roar, he lunged, saliva foaming between his jaws as he leapt for one of Basite's legs. The only thought going through the creatures mind was to kill, to stop the maddening ringing and be rid of the smell of magic for good. He did not act out of spite or any sort of emotion. But out of pain.
The guards at that moment began to take notice, fumbling with swords and crossbows, or running to get more help. In moments the courtyard devolved into chaos because of the dog.​

 

[infectedmouth]

LOCATION: Courtyard.
TAGS: Hawke.
MENTIONS: Dog.

BASITE

Basite had never once considered the threat of a predator. He had never, once, thought he would be in danger. It never crossed his mind that, as a lone centaur, at some point he would be killed, and no one would care. He heard the growl, but he couldn't turn fast enough when he felt the jaws on his leg. The man let out a loud yell, trying to buck the dog off, but the bleeding leg collapsed, making him fall on his rump.

Shit, Basite felt panic grow in his chest as he struggled to get back up, now seeing the dog fully. It looked rabid. The centaur tried to get back up, pushing himself, unknowingly only tiring himself. He swung at the dog, figuring that if he couldn't move, he'd still at least try to fight back. If this didn't make Basite hate dogs, then he just had to wonder what that'd make him, to let himself willingly be slaughtered by a rabid animal.

"Fuck off, you mutt!" He snapped, trying to get back up once more, heaving and frustrated.

 

[DovahBeat]

Kunkato had been walking for days, venturing into the kingdoms in hopes of finding some way to get his wife back. He couldn't do it alone, however. He'd need an army, or at least some allies.
He had barely recovered from his near-fatal injury enough to be able to travel long distances, but he was still hurt. Curse kirin hide for being so slow to heal.
He had made it close to the gates of Umbra keep, noticing a few others enter. This was the center of the rebellion, right? Perhaps they could help each other...
He picked up his pace, hiding his limp the best he could.
"Wait! Could you perhaps house a weary traveller? I can be of use, if preferred!"

Hawke. Rattlebones

 

[Caligena]

Interacting with: Ves infectedmouth
Location: Gardens​

She obliged the pudgy feline and softly stroked the length of her side with hands that were warm to the touch. In fact, the tiefling herself was warm from the exhaust of the passive heat venting she emitted amidst her session of tears, and to Twinkie, it must have felt akin to rubbing against a ray of sunshine itself on this cold Icewane morning.

Fara chuckled in spite of herself at the newcomer's brief and out-of-breath introduction. It was cute -- charming even -- and it certainly succeeded in bringing a smile to her face. Truth be told, she wasn't expecting the man to take her up on her offer of company, so it offered yet another pleasant surprise as he plopped down next to her. She continued scratching the feline, migrating from Twinkie's shoulders and back to her ears and forehead.
"Yes, this place is called Umbra Keep. It apparently used to be a defensive fort for the previous lords that lived here - presumably relatives of Lord Robert's," she elaborated during the pause in conversation, grateful to be being shown kindness again today after such a nasty bout earlier.

The girl mulled the new names over quietly to herself, making sure to ingrain them into her memory as she gave a couple long full body strokes to the cat's flank. "Ves and Twinkie..." she muttered, letting the gentle repose of the cresting sun wash over the thawing frost in the grass in a warm, embracing peace for the moment. Once the tender silence was broken once more, she snapped her attention back up from petting Twinkie, much to said critter's protest.
"My name is Faralynn, Pyromancer Extraordinaire. Uh, but just... Fara to my friends, which-" she paused to pat Twinkie softly on the head, "- I now consider you both amongst." As she concluded her rather embarrassing rehearsed introduction, a brief tinge of darker pink set into her tear-blotched cheeks, and she offered an extended tender hand to her new seated compatriot for a handshake.

"You have such ornate and elegant tattoos, by the by -- may I ask their significance?"

 

[sraes]

Helewys deGrey
Interacting with: Anziium TheCrowKing
Location: Stables
​

Breathing out an angry hiss Helewys gave their free hand an absent shake, they didn't think the knuckles were split but didn't care enough to look just then. All of their focus was on the tiefling they were holding to the stable door as the pain and shock of what had just happened registered on his face. Honestly as much shit as he'd been talking they were a touch surprised that he hadn't expected the punch - if he went around acting like that all the time this certainly couldn't have been the first instance of someone getting fed up and losing their temper with him.

Although Helewys was a bit annoyed with themself for doing so, no matter how much he'd deserved it. They'd thought they had a better rein on themself after all these years but it looks like all it took was a pretty tiefling with a shitty attitude to sent them right back to their teenage years of getting into fistfights with any asshole who crossed their path. They hadn't taken kindly to being talked down to then any more than they would now, and they sure as hell weren't about to let someone spit on the memories of the others who had died just trying to get away from a betrayal none of them could have seen coming. So if Anziium wasn't used to having any actual repercussions for saying whatever spiteful thing came to his mind?

Well that would just have to change.

"You know? You know what? That you came here - presumably - to help but have been nothing but rude to the people you should be working with? That you're an absolute ass for making Fara cry for trying to smooth things over? That speaking ill of the dead to someone who has worked alongside several of them for years and then watched them die is deliberately cruel?" They questioned, unsatisfied with the lackluster answer and a bit taken aback at the meekness of the delivery having expected more of the anger Anziium had shown before. Resisting the urge to shake a more complete answer out of him, they released the handful of his clothing they'd been holding onto and took half a step back. They didn't like the way he was shrinking back from them as if he thought they were about to rip him apart. Punching him was already beyond what they should have done, provoked or not, though they couldn't entirely bring themself to regret it; but even as angry as they were they didn't want him actually scared of them. "Why-"

Whatever they'd been about to ask was abruptly cut off by a yell from the courtyard outside the stables - the voice unfamiliar as most still were to them - followed by snarled curses and the sounds of people beginning to rush around, the earlier peace obviously shattered.

"What in the hells?" They glanced towards the stable doors, seeing several of the horses shifting restlessly about in their stalls whether from the sounds outside or something else they hadn't the faintest clue. It didn't sound like whatever was happening had stopped, though. In fact it only seemed to be getting louder and more frantic out there - perhaps an attack? - and they'd injured one of their companions.

With a curse vile enough their mother would have boxed their ears to hear it, they whipped back towards Anziium and reached out to pull his hands from his face - already pulling up a thread of healing magic. "Let me take care of that nose."

 

[Hawke.]

♞Robert/Shatter Roar, Great hall , interacting with Jonako TheCrowKing and Silvyr Sleipnir ♞
Robert watched, smiling as the cat leapt from his shoulders onto the table, "Yes, I suppose I am. Perhaps some day I'll be as good with people as I am with cats." He said, his voice rather wistful, "I suppose father never expected both of his better children to... Be unable to take his place, I never really received any of the training they did." He wasn't an entirely useless lord, he was good at math and could do the bookkeeping if need be, but he had no experience running a kingdom, he had no experience making decisions that could alter the lives of so many people, though his people barely numbered in the hundreds. They would all look to him, and he had no counsel, no experience, no wisdom to go off. He wondered if this was what the first lords and kings felt all those years ago.
He looked back to the cat, as he tiptoed around abandoned plates and mugs, graceful as a dancer. he watched as he inspected Thelind, then Shatter Roar, who gave a soft, friendly chuff of greeting. "Hello, small one," the lionfolk purred, a deep, rumbling sound.

♞ Dog/Aldwin - Courtyard - Basite infectedmouth Mordag Rattlebones Everyone in the area♞
The dog snarled, dodging the centaurs blow before leaping at him again. The creature didn't notice Mordag or Aldwin as they entered the courtyard, and it certainly didn't notice the guards running around like a very disorganized herd of sheep, just following the tail in front of them.

Aldwin nodded to Mordag, "To be blunt, I have no time to waste coming up with elaborate lies, or to wait in lines." He said, "You can distrust me now but please stab me in the back later. I have a message for Shatter Roar, as I said. " It was only then that he heard the snarling. He stopped his mare then, she snorted and pawed at the ground, but did not run away.
His eyes searched the courtyard for the source of the snarling, and his heart jumped when he saw the hound and the centaur. Were they already here? was he too late? Almost as if on instinct he reached for his weapon, yanking it free from its sheath.
The sword was long and thin, made of dark metal that under the light shimmered and iridescent blue, green, and purple. Why was no one sounding an alarm? why were all of these guardsmen running around like they didn't know what to do. "Come on! get your heads out of your asses and help your friend!" He barked, marching towards the scene, when he got close enough he struck his sword upon the cobblestones, sending up a high pitched ring that made the mutt cry out and shake itself. "Come on, mutt! You want a fight?" he struck the stones again, this time softer but it didn't bother the dog any less.
It was a small one, he thought, not quite a pup but still young, just like the ones that he had seen with some of Kesters men. this one looked unkempt and did not have a sturdy leather collar anymore. Perhaps it was a stray, or a runt. But that made it no less dangerous.
The sharp ringing drove the beast back, but it did not make it run. It was mad with bloodlust now.

♞ Guards - gate - Kunkato DovahBeat ♞
"Well-" The badgerfolk still standing in the entrance was about to speak, and then he turned around and saw the hulking form of the Kirin centaur looming above him. His words died in his throat and all that came out was a pitiful whimper. He considered letting him inside for a moment, then regained his composure and remembered his duty. "We cannot just let anyone inside! what- what skills have you got to offer?"
He flinched, then, hearing an awful ringing noise inside the courtyard that made him growl and spit and shake himself. "Gah! what in the hells!?"
​

 

[DovahBeat]

♞ Thelind/Shatter, interacting with Quill DovahBeat ♞[/FONT]
"Well, that's good. It would be impolite of you to steal from our new friends." Thelind said, she noticed that Quill was tense. "Shatter Roar was only prodding you, son. You needn't worry, we know you'd never steal from refugees, right?" Thelind knew that she would likely be asking the young catfolk to empty his pockets later, but most of the refugees had very little, so perhaps he would be less inclined to steal.​

Silent QuillMentions: Hawke. (Shatter and Thelind) TheCrowKing (Jonako)
"Of course not! They wouldn't have anything of much value, anyway." Quill answered before the little cat came over and greeted Shatter Roar. He let out a small Prrr! in greeting to the cat as well.
He then flinched, hearing the screeching sounds from outside. "What's going on outside? Doesn't sound good..."

Kunkato
Mentions: Guards

Kunkato flinched slightly at the sharp sounds coming from inside the keep, a hand going to his spear on instinct.
"Well, for one I can fight, possibly help with whatever is going inside right now. I am also an electromancer and a Kirintaur. My shed scales are quite valuable for weapons, armor, and good luck charms. May I be allowed in to help with whatever threat is upon you?"

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium
Interacting: sraes ​

Anziium was no child, he knew exactly what he had brewed up according to his own actions. Did he initially plan for it to reach this degree? No, not exactly. Really, all he had wished for was a less-than chaotic morning, one in which he wasn’t prodded by his over-eager sibling and left to his own devices in the lull periods of planning. This included minimal interaction with those around him, yet that hadn’t been the case, the one he wanted to particularly avoid having jumped into the mix. A simple brush off hadn’t been enough, nor the follow-up of a reversal of attention; he’d intended to touch upon the horrid topic, just enough to shut down the conversation thoroughly.

When one bore unnecessary fang, the other generally backed down, not stood up to it. Unfortunately for the bitter tiefling, whereas he was a dog with bark and no bite, Helewys had either tool at their disposal. And when he had been backed into a corner, Anziium attempted one last “bark” to get them to leave him be. Well, now they were here: quite literally backed up against a wall, tail between their legs as it had become very obvious they bit off more than they could chew.

Did he have to utter it aloud though? Would it have pleased them for him to lash out with his words once more, further justifying the next punch? Did they really want him to answer, to explain himself for his vile actions? Despite his sudden turn in attitude, the need to speak up against Helewys’s observations tore like barbed wire at his throat, awaiting him to just open his mouth even the slightest; he wanted to defend himself, but he couldn’t even do as much for his family. In the couple of months he’d spent physically recovering, he hadn’t mentally recovered enough to process those horrid feeling inside his mind and expel them in a pleasant manner. Everything came out hateful, confused, and downright bitter. And without this skill, and the desire to continue keeping his dilemma to himself, Anziium wouldn’t retort back. Let them all think I’m nothing more than an ass. It will make it easier in the long run if they speak little to me.

Body having coiled itself like a wound-up snake, Anziium was finally able to breathe more than a tense breath as he was released from the elf’s hold. Even that little space they had given him as they disgustedly eyed him up was definitely better than where they were a moment ago. Quite honestly, the thought of having had someone else that close was literally nauseating, he taking the brief moment of distraction to slip free from his awkward position between Helewys and the gate. He hadn’t cared what was happening outside until he was a handful of feet away from them, in such a position that wouldn’t make cornering him again that easy. Only once he was away did his attention shift briefly to the ongoing noises nearby.

Face -painfully- scrunching at the mixture of curses, snarls, and shrill pops and whistles, the tiefling couldn’t even begin to wonder what was happening so close. Perhaps someone else had gotten into a scuffle? No, he doubted it would have caused that much of an uproar. Where are any of the guards or the more physical-actioned guests to end it, then? Most certainly not including himself in that category of those among the keep, he swiftly tugged the couple of layers of clothing he’d placed upon a hook, smearing a bit of his drying blood on them as he dawned them once more.

For some ungodly reason, Helewys hadn’t outright bolted out the doorway like some mad fool, eager to throw themselves into the fray. So much for being a battle medic, he thought briefly, tensing once more as they didn’t seem to be letting him go anytime soon. This time, afraid he was about to receive another ‘friendly’ swing, his bladed appendage swished threateningly at waist-height, ready to tear into their flesh if they got much closer. “To what?? Break it some m-more?!” He spat, hands curling at his sides, truly giving a splendid eyeful of the misplaced cartilage that was his nose. Funny how something important was happening outside, something that might actually require a medic, and they were more concerned about his bloody nose.

 

[TheCrowKing]

Aurrari
Interacting: Hawke. Rattlebones ​

The rise of the morning sun had been of no rude awakening to the diligent fae, their morning having long begun before the sunlight could trickle within his quarters. He had silently slipped free from the bedding, taking special care not to wake the smaller form that had wormed its way against his side during the night. All of this, every last bit of this was for them, afterall; he’d be damned if he’d burden them with even the most miniscule inconvenience such as being awoken before they were ready. A few moments of having redressed himself and ensuring the door was locked up tight behind him, the gentle giant had lumbered away to begin the long list of tasks to be completed before the guests had awoken within the keep.

Although none of the guests would have thought much of it, the keep was actually looking quite well, even at a time like this. There weren’t cobwebs dangling in the corners of their rooms, nor dust lining the flat-surfaces. Oh no, the bedding was fresh, scented with dainty soaps, each window clear as day, smudge free to gaze upon the kept gardens around them. Anziium nor Helewys’s would have noted the recently shoveled pens in the stable, how each creature was well tended to with crisp feed and cool water during their little spat. No, it would certainly go unthought about, down to the immaculate placing of the silverware placed before each and every occupied seat in the dining hall. Perhaps there had been the briefest of thanks as the hungry occupants tuckered into the modest breakfast display before rudely disregarding it in favor of sour words. It was alright though, for their attention to detail didn’t bother him in the slightest, so long as the owner of the keep, Lord Robert, saw truly how reliable he had claimed himself to be. So long as he kept him around for his labor, it didn’t matter to him.

Aurrari’s day was far from over, he had remained in the kitchen to aid the remainder of the kitchen staff in preparation for the next meal. He hadn’t planned upon attending the war meeting or the breakfast, knowing that was far more for him to do than sit silently as plans were discussed. He had to keep himself busy, useful, needed. Unaware of the discourse in the dining hall, he rested upon a short stool in the kitchen, raking a rough brush across a basin of potatoes for the next meal. He looked awkward at such a low height, uncomfortable at most, but he managed around it, rinsing the spuds thoroughly before moving onto a paring knife to cut away the eyes. Minding his own with such a tedious task, he allowed himself the briefest moment of daydreaming, mindlessly cutting whilst his mind was elsewhere. And yet, despite the loud ongoings of the kitchen, something seemed out of place.

Having been yanked from his idle state, a simple slip of the knife had scored the tip of his thumb, a few lazy droplets plopping in the washing water below. Irked at such a slip-up, he stood from his subpar seating to suck at the nick that had formed on his skin, only to sigh as the pinkish waters. Well...that had to be done again, all the washing, scrubbing and then he could finally get back to peeling. Ushering a heaving sigh, Aurrari bent to retrieve the soiled batch of potatoes, offhandedly opening the kitchen side door to toss out the filthy water.

Whereas his goal was to simply dump the water, it was apparent he wasn’t about to return back to the kitchen for a little while at least. Bucket slipping free of his grasp as he stared on at the shitshow before him, it clattered to the ground below, thoroughly splashing him but it didn’t even seem to cross his mind. It was a fairly quick snap back to attention as he whirled back inside, shaking the nearest attendant to send word across the keep and to Shatter. Outside of that though, he very quickly decided upon swiping up the nearest block of knives and sprinted to help Mordag and Ser Aldwin.

Jonako
Interacting: Hawke. DovahBeat
​

One might assume a flea-bitten stray such as himself would have naturally gravitated towards the discarded meals upon the table, hissing and lashing out at any who dared to pull him away. Oddly enough, the tom seemed not to care much for the wasted food, despite him looking like he desperately needed it, but rather much more interested in the remaining, seated figures. A brief glance backward with a soft trill and flick of the tail towards Robert signaled he'd be fine, back soon even; just had to explore around first, then he'd settle.

Seeing as there were a few people that seemed friendly enough to approach, the cat briefly swept his ragged hand across Thelind's hand before moving to Shatter. He had figured the few catfolk he had spotted would initially be friendly whilst he was in this form. Afterwards? He wasn't quite certain, but for now, getting his foot in the door was good enough. A returned chuff was offered the larger feline's way, he trotting over to inquisitively sniff before extending his paw for yet another one of those odd paw-shakes he'd gifted Robert.

After affirming they were in good terms, the mundane cat would pad over towards Quill, this time a bit more wary. Of course, given this cat wasn't so very mundane at all, he had heard and understood the retort back to Thelind this catfolk issued. It appeared as though he was a thief, a reoccurring one at that. Plopping himself before the Quill, he stared a long moment at him, his eyes seeming far more intelligent than a simple stray cat for a moment before he eventually issued out another greeting; a soft purr stirring up within his chest as he chose to deem him a friend for now. If sticky fingers found their way in his pockets at a later date though….

Sure he could work it out in the long run, the kitty brushed himself closer, his tiny nose meeting Quill’s in a friendly manner. He might have even hopped down in his lap if the catfolk hadn’t spooked him at the sudden movement. Jumping backwards, the tom was ready to turn tail to Robert for support, but instead took a moment to listen as well. What could be considered a frown for a cat crossed his face, he leaping down from the table to place himself in the window once more, scanning the outside. Something wasn’t right, it never was.

 

[infectedmouth]

LOCATION: Gardens, Courtyard
TAGS: Caligena Hawke. Rattlebones
MENTIONS: Faralynn, Dog, Aldwin, Mordag

VESANIA + BASITE

Ves stretched his legs out pretty far, drumming his fingers on his knees as Twinkie purred and stretched under Fara's hands. She was so warm and it was nice to the cat. She stood up and got onto Ves' lap, curling up and purring, kneading into his legs. Ves scratched her chin, smiling greatly as her purring got louder. She enjoyed this attention she gained between the two of them. Ves' cold hands were very relaxing for her- she liked the warmth, but Ves' hands were the ones she'd turn to no matter what. She stretched out towards Fara, trying to lay on both of their laps. Ves chuckled and scratched her ears.

"Sir Robert?" Ves questioned, tilting his head towards her for a moment before looking away. "Name rings a bell. Excuse my shitty memory," he laughed. "Nice to meet you Fara."

He used his nails to scratch at Twinkie's back, then looked back up at the other tiefling at the question. He hesitated for a moment and looked down at his arms, forgetting the numerous tattoos that littered his body. He searched for something to say about them, studying them for a moment longer before he just shrugged and pulled his arms back, leaning against his hand and using the other to pet Twinkie's soft cream fur.

"They don't have a specific meaning," he muttered, looking up at her again. "They're just...there. Needed something on my skin." He replied. It was as close to the truth as he'd let it get.

--

Basite's chest rose and fell heavily, giving one last push to try to get up to his feet. He managed to turn around so that he could face the mutt, frustration building in his face. He swung a massive fist towards the dog's open jaws, trying to do damage. He heard the loud clang from the sword and he immediately covered his ears, tensing and watching the dog back off. His eyes shifted towards the newcomers, letting his hands drop from his ears. Finally, someone had heard. He turned back towards the mutt, baring his own teeth, brows scrunched in pure anger.

He tried to get up again, managing to get his front hooves up, but unable to gather the strength quite yet to get to all four legs. Basite's breath strained between tense lips as a sharp pain shot up his leg from the bite, making him cover his mouth to avoid making a sound. He was not a coward, nor a wimp. He would not cry over a bite. He was fine. He heard someone come up beside him and his human half swung around, horse half dropping back to the ground. He didn't quite get what she was looking at him for, confusion briefly crossing his face before she passed him, standing in front of him.

The noise that erupted from her hands quickly made him realize what she was getting at and he covered his ears, putting his front hooves into motion by pushing himself back and as far away from the noise as possible. Basite didn't hear much else as adrenaline began to wear off a little and the shock of the bite hit. He felt dizzy, looking down to see how bad the wound was and seeing the blood caked on his soft fur. The cobblestone beneath his wounded leg was painted red, his blood running between the cracks. He had never had to deal with being attacked- he had seen a fair share of hurt people, had housed them for a little before they were able to get back on their feet. He never saw them again after that.

Basite felt like either screaming, throwing up, passing out, or all three in that specific order.

//yike this was bad aa

 

[Sleipnir]

Silvyr sighed and tilted his head slightly. “You’ll do fine, Robert,” he promised him. The uncertainty in his lord’s tone and words had not escaped the Knight who had once spent so much of his time looking over him. It wasn’t as if Robert’s feelings and thoughts were a mystery to him, not now. He never was. “You may call me biased, but I could never bring myself to consider you inferior to your siblings. You’ll be a great lord one day, I know it in my soul. You just need time to learn.” And it was obvious that he did — the Knight meant it with ever fiber of his being. “I’ll be at your disposal every step of the way.”

 

[sraes]

Helewys deGrey
Interacting with: Anziium TheCrowKing
Location: Stables
​

Having turned their attention away for just a moment, Helewys was a bit surprised to find that Anziium had slipped so far away from them already when they turned back. Only a bit, though, as he was quickly proving to be a slippery entity - his obvious discomfort with being pinned back against the stable only making him more so. They had the feeling that healing him was going to be a trial of persistence at the very best.

This impression was only solidified by the wary way he was watching them, tail held threateningly as if ready to strike.

Helewys looked the tail over briefly having not really gotten a good look before. It wasn't a weapon being held towards their throat, but it also looked like it could cause a good bit of pain if swung around with enough force and they doubted they'd be able to get close enough to do much in the way of healing before Anziium could use it either. And his nose could definitely use healing as displaced as the cartilage looked. A predicament that was not at all helped by the high shrieking sound that started up just then, making them wince and have to fight not to press their hands over their ears. It sounded like nails scraping down chalkboard to their sensitive hearing but was luckily far enough away that the discomfort didn't tip over into outright pain, though they weren't looking forward to going outside into the cacophony once Anziium was settled.

Maybe by then the screeching will have stopped? They weren't particularly hopeful on the matter.

They did know that they would have to go out and see what was happening either way, however. If they were under attack there were bound to be injuries to be seen to - they weren't even sure how many, if any, other healers were present at the Keep much less as close to whatever was happening as they were. Hiding away in the stables might be the safer option but it was not one they could choose.

"No, you ass, to heal it. Or did you want to have your face half swollen for the next week?" Rolling their eyes with more than a touch of exasperation, they glanced from Anziium to the stable entrance then back again. 'Oh to hell with it.' Pulling their shortsword from its scabbard where it had been thoroughly forgotten, they marched over to where Anziium had backed away without a care for his tail or tense posture. They shoved the weapon at him; hilt first. "Take this and wait here." If he was going to be stubborn and not let them heal his nose, at the very least he wouldn't be without a weapon in case the fighting spilled over into the stables themselves.

It left Helewys without a weapon but in all truth it was not like having a sword to hand would do them much good when they barely knew how to hold the damned thing.

It was only as they were releasing the sword - to land in Anziium's hand or at his feet, they didn't care either way - that it registered how close they'd managed to get to him. Not very, honestly, but close enough that if they were fast...

Not letting themself think it through any further than that their hand snaked out the instant they released the sword. With a snap of force and magic they realigned Anziium's nose. A bare, basic healing that would set the nose in place but wouldn't do anything for the bruising or swelling - they didn't have the time for that - but would allow the nose to heal quickly and easily on its own. Immediately they staggered back a step, a bit lightheaded from forcing their already fairly depleted magic into shape without even foci or runes to aid in the process before catching themself just in time to think: 'Oh shit, this is going to hurt.'

 

[Caligena]

Interacting with: Ves infectedmouth
Location: Gardens, but loud​

Fara quickly recovered from the untaken handshake by then extending further to pet Twinkie again as Ves gave his answer. It wasn't taken personally that he didn't accept the handshake, but it did make her wonder if that just wasn't as big of a custom this far east in Thoigard as it was back home. 'Oh well,' she thought, chalking it up to cultural difference and filing the unfounded information away for later access without a second thought.

The girl had her mouth open and had just taken in breath to fuel her reply to the answer concerning the tattoos, when the piercing clang echoed throughout the gardens, causing her to immediately clasp her still-grassy hands to her ears with a brief wince. The trio were far enough away at their hidey spot for it not to cause a terrible amount of pain, but certainly enough to grab her attention by the throat.
"What in the name of devils' fire-?" she muttered, craning her neck to see if she could see the source of the noise.

Alas, the short wall of hedged shrubbery blocked her line of sight. With a perturbed and on-edge huff, she planted a hand to the earth and shoved herself upright onto her knees, and then stepped into a standing position. Offering only a perfunctory brushing of grass trimmings from her skirt, she turned and outstretched her hand to her visitor to aid in their standing as well. Her good-intentions were cut short however as a follow-up, skull-splitting shriek pierced the increasingly raucous air, causing her to duck reflexively, shut her eyes, and squat into a fetal position with her hands clasped tightly over her pointed pink ears once more. It was out of reflex purely -- she had had one too many cockamamy fire spells fail in her youth and give off a similar sound before exploding violently.

 

[Hawke.]

♞Robert - Great Hall - Silvyr Sleipnir - @ everyone♞
"I hope you're right, especially now... It seems selfish of me to worry over such small things when there are so many lives at risk." Robert sighed, looking up to the tapestries over the door. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, or his nerves, but they seemed to return his gaze. The dog's eyes in particular seemed to gleam a brighter red than usual. His skin prickled, and he jumped at the loud clang of metal that rang through the halls, things seemed impossibly silent in the hall for just a moment, before the front door was flung open and a very scared young man with his armor half buckled staggered into the hall, "Dog! there's- a dog!" The guard stammered out a warning.

♞Lady Thelind - Great Hall - Everyone ♞
Lady Thelind stood up from her seat with a surprising amount of swiftness for someone who seemed so elderly. She exchanged glances with Shatter Roar, who had also risen at the doors being flung open. "What do you mean a dog? All this commotion over a silly dog? Surely Lord Robert's men aren't so cowardly and... Disorganized." She said, looking the young guard up and down with distaste. Perhaps she shouldn't have expected much more, though.

♞ Shatter Roar - Great hall - Thelind/Everyone in great hall ♞
"Go easy on him, Thelind, now is no time for chastising." Shatter looked to the man, walking over to where he stood looking embarrassed and frightened in the doorway. "Come on, let's see this dog, then, would anyone like to come help me get this all sorted out?" He asked, golden eyes sweeping the room for any volunteers, when people stepped forward to join him he turned and walked through the door, admittedly it did sound a bit silly, a single dog wouldn't cause this much trouble anywhere else. He broke into a jog when he saw Basite downed, and a knight standing in front of him with a sword drawn, he didn't immediately see the hound and figured perhaps this was the dog that the guard had warned them of. "Someone get a healer!" He snapped at the guards before breaking into a jog, watching as the knight raised his sword again, now he could see the dog, whimpering and crying out in pain, "What in the hells?..."

♞ Aldwin/Dog - Main courtyard - Shatter/everyone ♞
Shatter Roar was enough to distract the man for a split second, long enough for the dog to regain some of its sense and lunge, grabbing the knight by the arm, sharp teeth tore through cloth and skin as the dog shook his head violently, jaws locking as he tried to bring the knight down. "Help me, damn it!"

♞ Guards - Main gate - Kunkato DovahBeat ♞
at first the Badger and rabbit seemed like they might turn Kato away, then the awful ringing and popping came, and the screaming of course. Couldn't ignore that. "By the Gods- well- Okay, come on! prove yourself, centaur!" The Badger called out as he ran to follow the rabbitfolk into a nearby hiding spot.

 

[Sleipnir]

Silvyr lifted his head when the commotion came, immediately drawing his sword and shield. The knight's first instinct was to rush into the battle but in that moment his feet simply could not move. He instead turned his attention to Robert almost helplessly, as if he would not or maybe even could not move without the word of his lord. But then fir ser Silvyr Spicer it was more complex than an inability to act without orders. In his mind, he was standing between his wards and an army once more on the day he nearly died. The day he was sure he was meant to die. Now, it occurred to him that if this dog were such a problem it must be a war dog. War dogs had masters. To leave his lord's side could mean leaving him at the mercy of an assassin.

Seia had no such qualms. At the yells of panic she was on her feet and hurried out to find the fight. As she passed, she offered Robert and his knight little more than a disparaging glance -- that Silvyr couldn't bring himself to do so much as put down a rabid dog without orders irritated her and in her mind spoke to his lack of initiative. But then, Seia never liked knights in the first place. She jogged after the soldiers, not even armored, and stopped in the courtyard. Well... that certainly was a dog, wasn't it? The soldiers were yelling for a healer. Seia wasn't a healer. She didn't have a tender, caring bone in her body.
What she did have was a very large sword, which she was pulling free from its binding.
She lunged forward at the dog and swung, making no ceremony about her actions and no artful grace: She meant to cleave the damn thing in half. There's no pretty way to do something like that.

 

[infectedmouth]

LOCATION: Courtyard
TAGS: Hawke. Caligena

BASITE + VESANIA

Basite pressed himself further, trying to stay conscious in case the dog managed to get around to him, but the call of darkness was much, much more welcoming. The dog had lunged at Aldwin, and Basite knew he should get up to save him, but he was feeling delirious. He tried once more to stand up and shake himself off, but the shock was getting to him way too much, and as he felt himself falling to the ground, he watched as Seia unleashed her sword, raised it up, and brought it down on the dog. The next thing he remembered was nearly kissing the cobblestone.

-

Vesania hadn't really heard the clang, but both Fara and Twinkie reacting made him realize something had happened. He raised a thick brow when Fara stood, watching the grass fall off her skirt with a semi-amused look before she reached towards him. He reached his hand to grab it and stand himself, when she immediately ducked. Ves stood up instead, having heard that sound. He picked up Twinkie, the cat making a "mrrmph" sound, and tucked her into his arm as he peered over the hedge, a look crossing his face that didn't seem too pleasant. He glanced down at Fara and cycled through a few facial expressions before he put Twinkie down next to her, told her to stay, and dashed off. Twinkie seemed distraught without Ves, but she turned her attention to Fara and lightly rubbed her head against the teifling's arm.

 

[Hawke.]

♞ Courtyard - Aldwin, Shatter Roar - interacting with Seia Sleipnir Anzii/Aurrari TheCrowKing - everyone ♞
Aldwin's eyes grew wide when he saw Seia approach with the largest sword he had ever seen, for a moment he forgot the dog latched to his arm, expecting the woman to hack them both in half. He closed his eyes, praying to any God listening that she had good aim. Then came the familiar sound of a sword hitting and slicing through flesh, the pressure on his arm released as the dogs severed body fell to the ground. He dared to open his eyes then, eyes moving from the dog to the woman and her sword, to Shatter Roar, to Thelind and the others on the stairs. Then to his arm, it hurt and bled but it wasn't as bad as he had expected. His attention returned to Seia then, "Thank you, I will repay this," He bowed as well as he could while holding his arm. "For now, I come with urgent news, I'm Ser Aldwin, of house Merrick, Knight to our queen of Thoigard, Calida Echethier. But- ahh... This hurts, I think your centaur friend and I need some assistance, otherwise I may bleed out before I can deliver the good news!"
Shatter Roar walked over to the man and offered to help support him, "This is my fault, I apologize for... Reacting so poorly. Had I known you came from the queen..."
Aldwin shook his head, "That's the thing you see, the queen didn't send me per-say, but I'll explain if you'll allow me inside."
That made the Lionfolk wary, why would a knight be here if he was not under orders from his queen? was this a deserter? He had heard of House Merrick but knew little past the fact that they were associated with many royal families and they bred horses. He looked to Seia, "Why don't you escort our new friend inside? I'll help with Basite, and find Anziium and Helewys." He said, guiding the knight to Seia.
Shatter wasn't entirely sure where they had gotten to, but figured he may as well start in the barn. And how lucky was he to find both Helewys and Anzii, the healer standing over the tiefling, who had a swollen and bruised nose. Between them lay a sword. What in the hell was going on with people today? had they all lost their collective minds? "What are you two doing in here?!" Though he was standing on the opposite end of the barn his voice boomed as if he were right behind them. When one of them happened to look, he would be walking towards them with the speed of a parent who had just caught their child in the act. "This is no time for fighting!" He scolded them, as if they were naughty children. "You two should be ashamed, I want an explanation, but it will have to wait. We have company and I expect you on your best behavior. Am I clear?"

Back in the courtyard, a young guard watched the knight being escorted into the Great hall, Tarquin was amazed, far more starstruck than the other guards of course. He shook his head then, looking around and spotting Aurrari, "Aurrari! come on, let's go meet the new knight, you can take a break for a minute can't you?" His too-large armor made a lot of noise as the young boy made his way to the fae. He liked Aurrari, even if he wasn't all that talkative.

♞Great Hall - Robert, Aldwin, Shatter - interacting with Silvyr Sleipnir Anzii/Aurrari TheCrowKing Helewys sraes ♞
Robert Fully expected Silvyr to run, to go aid in whatever battle might be going on outside, yet the knight stayed, firmly planted next to his lord. In the quiet of the hall after the commotion had drawn everyone out Robert's voice seemed to echo, "Why didn't you go?" the young Lord's eyes didn't waver from the door, as if the King's army would walk through it at any moment. "You don't have to stay at my side like some... dog."
The doors swung open, then, distracting Robert from his train of thought as a man in armor was lead through the doors by the lady with the big sword, Seia he thought her name was. Robert stood then, as Lady Thelind approached him "My Lord, Ser Aldwin Merrick, knight of house Echethier here wishes to speak with us, he brings word from Alban."
Aldwin bowed again, he was doing quite a bit of bowing today, certainly there was no way it could cause his back problems to flare up. Certainly not, it was unbecoming of a knight to have back problems... "Yes, I do, but first I have a dog bite I'd like seen about."
"Oh-" Robert raised a hand, "Ah- why don't you have a seat, we'll have a healer come to you," He couldn't help but feel wary of this newcomer.
As Aldwin sat down Shatter Roar marched in, holding Helewys and Anziium by the back of the shirt, one in each large paw. It was quite the sight, and there were a few stifled laughs from those around the hall. He plopped them both down at the head of the table behind Aldwin before speaking, "I apologize, I had to fetch our healer and their... friend..." he cast a glance at Anziium, then to Helewys. He noted that Hel seemed tired, and figured it may not be a good idea to ask them to heal, he also filed it away for when he interrogated them later.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Alno Teldor
interaction: (me)​

One might have wondered what happened to the old storytelling crocodile man? did he leave? did he feel he was getting too old for this? well it wasn't overly obvious.. but we find out old croc skodi standing beside a building humming to himself the lizardfolk waiting for an old friend to arrive. said old friend appeared relatively soon flying down from the sky a shortish-looking dragon-like creature, whome seemed to have a large stinger tail and carried two very large blades of a sort. skodi meeting them with a friendly smile "aaaah Alno.. good to see you my friend how has life been then?" the old lizardfolk said to the other one with a smile prompting the wyvern like humanoid to smile and hug the old man. "yes yes its good to see you ya old scaly face lifes been treating you well hey? but yeah im here now.." they would reply happily afterwards skipping down and reagusting the two swords carried upon there waist the pair would start chatting simple catching up on things.

 

[Sleipnir]

Silvyr sighed and turned to look back at Robert when he posed his question. In the half-fae's mind, he was once more standing among the bodies of the dead. He was once more plagued by the fear that he had failed in his sworn duty. "No," he agreed with a nod. "I am not a dog. I am a knight. I did not know what lay outside the gates, and perhaps it's only the shadow of your family hanging about at my shoulder, but... I feared that, if I were to leave you, I might fail your family for the final time." He looked away then with a soft sigh and shook his head. "...It would not have been worth it to leave you defenseless for a dog if it truly was a diversion."

Seia, meanwhile, had accompanied the injured knight back in. She hadn't said much to him. Hadn't even checked if he was doing alright. Once she was in she just sat down nearby to keep an eye on him and worked on cleaning the blade of her greatsword. Her first instinct was to disparage Aldwin's quality as a warrior -- but then, dogs weren't so bad when you weren't the one they were mauling. Awful hard to wield a weapon when there was a big set of teeth in your dominant arm. Hell -- for Seia, hard to wield a weapon at all when you didn't have full use of both arms.

 

[sraes]

Helewys deGrey
Interacting with: Anziium TheCrowKing , Shatter Roar/Aldwin Hawke. , Open
Location: Stables, Great Hall
​

Helewys immediately braced themself for pain, fully expecting Anziium to retaliate for the painful re-aligning of his nose with a punch of his own or maybe even a swipe of that bladed tail. They wouldn't even be able to be mad about it - well, that mad at least - because even though they were trying to help fix what they'd injured the trickery however unplanned was still a bit uncalled for. Not that they would ever admit that to him of course. But either the pain or the surprise must have frozen him just long enough because no blows came their way before the commotion outside died down and was almost immediately replaced by the barn doors bursting inwards.

Jerking around at the sudden loud entrance, Helewys bristled at the castigating tone before they realized that it was Shatter Roar baring down on the two of them with a look that fell somewhere between annoyed and furious. However they only bristled even further, indignant, when they registered what he was saying.

As if they were a kid in need of handling or one of his soldiers in need of a dressing down when they were fairly sure he only had a few years on them, if even that. It was absolutely degrading and they would not even slightly admit that it may be warranted in this case. "I'll behave if he does," They snorted under their breath, shooting a look at Anziium over their shoulder and not doing much to prove themself an adult in this situation. As if noticing that, they wrinkled their nose and turned back towards Shatter Roar with the intention of reining their temper in only for it to be taken out of their hands.

Or, more accurately, off their feet.

"I can walk on my own you know!" They barely managed to get out as Shatter Roar swept the two of them up with all the ease of scruffing a pair of kittens and started marching them from the barn without so much as a 'by your leave'. They had to scramble to keep up with his longer strides or risk being dragged along by the back of their shirt and that left no time for questions, even as they passed through the courtyard where a dog's bloody body was being cleared away and others were standing around the centaur they'd seen briefly that morning as if trying to figure out what to do with the large, immobile man. Seeing the wounds on his hindquarters they turned for a better looking, even starting to take a step in his direction before the grip on their shirt pulled them away as if Shatter Roar hadn't even noticed that they'd tried to break stride. Or maybe he had and they were simply needed more elsewhere?

Still annoyed but a bit chastised by the sight of the impromptu battlefield the courtyard had become, they worked a bit harder to keep up with the lionfolk's pace as he 'led' them back into the Great Hall where it seemed those from this morning and a few others were gathering.

Ignoring the curious and amused looks being tossed their way, Helewys scanned those assembled in the room with a quick glance. Most everyone seemed in much the same shape as they'd left them not all that long ago - the only one visibly injured was a new face. A man in armor behind which they were oh-so-conveniently deposited by Shatter Roar not a moment later. Straightening their displaced over robe with a huff they immediately began to roll their sleeves up out of their way - making a mental note to hem the too-long lengths later when they had the time - and stepped up beside the knight.

"May I see your arm?" They asked him, more as a courtesy than a true question, already gesturing for him to hold the wounded limb out for their inspection and making a mental list of what they would need to begin cleaning and healing it. All their previous animosity had fallen entirely away, nothing but the work they needed to do in their thoughts at that moment.

 

[Juju]

Zephriel
In great works of literature, the road less taken was often looked upon with romanticized fondness. Zephriel had found out very quickly that all of it was hogwash. By the second day she was filthy (by her standards), terrified, and quite frankly missing even the most mundane aspects of her old life.

The presence of the king's mage hunters had made using the roads a dangerous affair, and while Zephriel was an excellent flyer, flying for hours on end had left her wings utterly exhausted and sore. Eventually she had to surrender to the ground and walk through the wilderness parallel to roads, or if she was lucky, a hunting path or two. With so many suspicious eyes about, she couldn't even afford the luxury of a bed for fear of king's men in the towns. The only comforts she had managed to take from her family estate were an old blanket, cloak, spare clothes, a pouch of coins and jewellery, and as much food as she could take with her.

By the time she had escaped the library a squad of guards were already helping themselves to the trinkets of her family's home. Never in all her life did she expect to sneak into her own kitchen to scavenge for provisions, but it was just one of many ways the world as she knew it had been turned on its head, torn apart, and burned to ash. The greatest loss, was her parents. They had been defending the college students, allowing them to get away. She could only hope they managed to get away, or at the very least captured... it was better than the alternative.

Part of the reason why she sought the rebellion was the hope that if her parents were well, they would head there too. It was a small comfort, but one that helped her sleep at night.

Fortunately she was not totally directionless, thanks to a few maps of the local area, and a few rumours to go off of... if they were to be trusted. All she could think about was what would happen if this was just some trap, that the supposed Shatter Roar's Rebellion headquarters was nothing but a means to lure in magi who had managed to escape the first hunts. Not only would she be left with no options, but this whole pitiful adventure would have been for nothing.

***​

Zephriel now stood in front of what she hoped was the headquarters. She kept her wings folded neatly beneath the generous folds of her cloak with the hood up.

It did not take her very long to notice that the the keep and its walls had seen better days. Since many had left to deal with the rabid dog, there was also a distinct lack of guards along the walls. A chill ran up her spine, as once more, she feared the worst.

"Umbra Hold... you better be the right place," she muttered, chewing on the bottom of her lip nervously. Walking up to the gate, she slammed her fist into the wood. "Hello? Is anyone there? I am here to have a word with your lord!"

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium
Interacting: sraes Hawke. ​

As the ring of the drawn shortsword had broken the tense silence of the stable, Anziium’s bladed appendage faltered in its readied position, his best attempt at an intimidating stance broken in an instant. Blood ran cold in his veins as he took a half backstep, eyes widening as the elf approached with the drawn weapon. Given the circumstance they were actively being attacked, he had figured anyone in their right mind would have dropped this nonsense in favor of aiding their allies, proving that they were truly worth their salt, as they had claimed. At least, that’s what he had figured would have been the outcome. Helewys seemed to not take Anziium’s assumptions to mind, choosing to finish this argument one way or another. Currently, it seemed the only ending they had in mind was the tiefling skewered on their blade. Their words had fallen upon deaf ears, his eyes plastered to the approaching weapon in horror.

“Leave! Go! Would you just….Would you just leave!?” He choked out, voice betraying him by raising an octave as his fear only grew. He was certain they intended to end him here and now, regardless of whatever punishment came from slaughtering a teammate. All this because they had taken a personal interest in correcting his smartass mouth. Why he hadn’t shut up sooner was beyond him. And now here he was, about to get murdered in a horse stable, of all places.

Already pushed to the furthest end of the stables yet again, he quivered against the backwall, unable to do very much outside of watch as they approached. His mind didn’t even pass over defending himself anymore, knowing it was practically useless. Except, as Helewys finally reached him, the sword didn’t carve up his flesh, it falling heavily at his feet, the sharp tip not even pointed at his flank. And he blanked, having been so caught up in his thought that he was about to get stabbed that he didn’t even realize what was really happening.

A sharp, pent-up bit of air escaped him as he thought himself to be safe, only for the exhale to be exchanged for a pain inhale. The elf had most certainly caught him off guard with the lunge towards his face. Anziium hadn’t been fast enough in raising his hand in the initial lunge, but his dark nails had scored across the upper side of Helewy’s hand in their retreat. There, now both of them hurt: One with a stinging hand and the other with a bruised face and watery eyes. Were they even at that point? It certainly didn’t feel that way, but it wasn’t as though there was much time to retaliate properly, as Shatter had made his presence known at that exact moment.

Anziium was far too stunned to give up much of anything in his defense, words completely beyond him at that point. There wasn’t too much wriggling from him either as he was scruffed with his feud partner, closer to limp than writhing as he was drug along and unceremoniously flopped in front of the amassed guests of Umbra Keep. The stifled laughter was deafening from his position, his face alight with embarrassment in an instant. As he knew there wasn’t any point in attempting to leave, the tiefling merely shielded his flushed face behind a thick curtain of his unruly hair, eyes cast low as not to catch anyone’s eyes, ushering not a peep. He had already said far too much….

Aurrari
Interacting: Hawke.
Mentioning: Sleipnir ​

Hurried dash coming to a baffled halt, the larger fae male starred in awe as the previous threat was annihilated in an instant. One moment the hound had been a snarling menace and the next he was as good as a slab of butchering pork. The battle hadn’t even lasted long at all, it was done and over with before he could even carry himself over to help. He wasn’t upset, not in the slightest, as he had never much been a fighter; Hell, he was more impressed than anything.

Vibrant gaze lifting from the bloody mess that dappled the cobblestone, his eyes would eventually land on the absolute beast of a woman that had slaughtered the damn thing, her strike cutting through like a warm knife to a stick of butter. Aurarri was at a loss for words for Seia, nearly instantly wishing to walk over to her and ask just how exactly she had done that on her own.

Whatever secret she held on how she managed such deadly blows would remain secret for a bit longer, his ogling having gone on long enough for the majority of those outside to move on now. A small nod was directed Tarquin’s way as he slid his handful of knives back to the multiple pockets that lined the front of his apron. They hadn’t been used, but with a woman such as that on their side, he didn’t ever see much point in them being used outside of potato-peeling.

Finding himself at the youth’s side, Aurrari flashed him a kind smile and gestured that he was ready to go inside if he was. Truthfully, he didn’t see much point in someone like himself joining this meeting, as he had with the last, but if the young lad wished, he would.

//Passing on Jonako. He's around

 

[Caligena]

Interacting with Twinkie infectedmouth , open
Location: Loud Garden But Quiet, moving to Grand Hall Of Shame
​

She couldn't quite discern what the looks her newfound friend threw her way meant, but between the frowns, grimaces, and feline deposit, Fara knew not only that whatever he saw wasn't any good news, but that an adrenaline pulse of danger loomed over those hedges. As the cat tried her damnedest to sooth the tiefling, several thoughts obtrusively flashed through her mind -- moving fast, too fast, all so fast -- trying to piece some sense together in this exploded puzzle of chaos. Suddenly one string stood out that made her blood run ice cold.

'They found us and they're here to finish the job. They waited until we were vulnerable and let our guards down -' which was immediately interrupted by the immediately most concerning question, to which she muttered aloud a single horrified name.

"Anzi-"

Of course! She had been so utterly stupid and cowardly to not recognize the threats she promised her mother she would be wary against! She stumbled forward from her crouch into an attempt at a terror filled full sprint -- her destination: the Great Hall, and subsequently where she presumed her brother to be, his room. Unfortunately, in her panic, the soles of her shoes found no purchase for such a take-off amidst the dew-damp grass, causing her to subsequently tumble over herself and kiss the cold, wet dirt a mere few feet away.
Seeing a dazzle of stars for the briefest of moments as her body embraced the earth, teeth clacking together and the wind knocking itself out of her, she writhed as she placed a hand underneath herself and pushed up in an effort to regain her lost breath. The panic was starting to set in, dark thoughts flooding in while she gulped for the cold morning air. She absolutely had to make sure. She had to succeed. She refused to lose him, not again.

Following a few breaths to recoup, a loud, din-sundering sickly thud reverberated through the courtyard, unbeknownst to Fara to be the finishing blow of the great warrior Seia, whom she had only had the briefest of encounters with beforehand. The noise and subsequent moment of quiet was precisely the piercing beam of light to blast her swarm of insidious dark thoughts, giving her the moment of strength to get back up and balance herself. "Come on muz-zereb, get ahold of yourself!" she grunted to herself, slapping herself in the face to recenter her drive.

Quickly scanning around now that she had her wits about her, she noticed the carnage, and more prominently, the severely wounded man in armor being aided by a viscera-covered warrior toward the door, which she found herself next to. Hurrying to open it as they hastened their approach, she asked one of the guards that passed inside behind the two if they had seen her brother, giving a brief description of him. She was greeted in return with the information that Sir Shatter Roar had just depared to the barn in search of him and Hel.

Heaving a massive sigh of near-full relief, she handed the door holding off to a servant who had come for just such that reason, thanked the guard, and then began to push her way past people toward the barn. She took note of the grisly scene that had been the source of the racket, of the hound rent in two, and of the fainted goliath of a centaur in the center of it all, severely wounded from the looks of it. Time did not allow her to get very far however before the doors of the barn bucked open, with the image of a giant lion dragging two disgruntled figures offering a striking silhouette between them. One person seemed to be the healer Helewys, and indeed the other was her brother, appearing to suffer from a swollen and bloodied nose, but thankfully no other injuries.
Assured now that Anzi was safe and secure, and discerning that they were also headed the way of the Grand Doors, she merged into the tail-end of the crowd that was dissipating from the area, and took a seat at one of the tables significantly more out of the way. She wondered to herself what had transpired in the stables (since neither of them bore any bite wounds or significant gashes), and turned her attention toward the Lord, knight, and lionfolk who were now addressing the collective. The people to the side of her both snickered at the tiefling and elf, to which she backhanded the person closest to her in the chest and tossed a toxic scowl their way, catching the attention of a few others who then quieted themselves, knowing the pink and grey ones to be siblings.