Fly Sparrow Crazy

[shadowoftheheart]

Both swords are drawn with a satisfying metallic sliding sound, my eyes glinting with barely supressed feral glee, glancing between the Gnoll and the werewolf.

"Praxis, ... He's here."

Swords still in hand, I glance at my new found ... friends? There is danger, Sparrow and the Vision Woman both say so. The tavern is still in confusion, and I glance around at everyone. My blood still boils, the moreso seeing the Gnoll.

Terror. It can be felt in the air.

"I agree. It would be wise to leave." And return to my forest, I think but do not say.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

In her minds eye she could recall parts of her dreams, and her vision. It was enough to make her feel ill.

"Is there a back way out. Some way we wont be noticed as much?"

It was odd, but Shakira had never felt a bond with anyone she could ever remember. Her father was a rapest, and her mother was a weakling. She dispised them both. The entertainers she now traveled with were kind, and watched over her, but she never felt she owed them much. Now, here in this pit of depravity, was a group of people she had never met before, and she felt strongly compelled to protect them. There was a bond forming between them that was larger then life, and stronger then any any of them could have imagined.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Sparrow nods and motions to the back of the tavern, moving quickly. "Yes, this way!"

She dodges and weaves again, threading her way to the back, through the kitchen and reaches the back door. Her eyes dart nervously around for Praxis. She's wary about visions, for they imply magic, but with Praxis around, it suddenly doesn't seem like such a jump of faith.

Her hand is on the door knob when she freezes. "My box! I need my box!" She cusses and starts to head back.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

My box! I need my box!"

I glance at the vision woman, then at the retreating Sparrow.

"Damn. I will follow her to ensure her safety. Go, we will catch up with you."

I speak to the others as a group, turn, and follows Sparrow back into the tavern.

For a moment, I do not see Sparrow. I step back toward the table we were at, looking around the confused mob of people.

I see ....

 

[ShyWetThief]

Sparrow stands across the table from Praxis, her back to the wall. For the first time she finds herself wishing with all her heart that the Dragon's Ass had at least one window.... On the table between them is her box, and she chews her lip as she eyes it.

"H- h- hey there, Praxis," she speaks softly, as if he were a wild animal she feared would bite. The one she speaks to is entirely cloaked, but she knows it's him anyway. She licks her lips and tries to make her thoughts work.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Praxis?"

Still wielding my swords, I walk up to the table. Seeing Sparrow's fear, indecision, desire to reclaim he box, I sheath one sword and boldy reach out to pick it up.

"I am Amanda. You asked for me to come, Praxis?"

 

[poohlive]

Matteo could smell it, fear and blood in the air. The scent could not escape his sharp nostrils, and he licked his lips in preparation. It would be fantastic, blood lust at its finest. The gnoll had grown up in the forest, learned from his tribe the very essense of this kind of battle. Bloody, terrifying, painful, and prisoners were not an option. He turned, walking back to the front.

"No, Gnolly, no. Come back, we're supposed to leave."

The tall barbarian hunched his shoulders, as he was holding open the back door. He had been the first one to follow instructions, lead everyone out safely. A group of bar drinkers saluted their thanks as they ran for the nearest back alley to hide their heads. Kaegan wanted to follow them, leave this place as soon as he could, but people were still inside.

And Gnolly, Kaegan could not leave his gnoll.

Matteo only growled, sword out, drawn, ready. He wanted nothing more than a fight, as he walked slowly behind the two women, staring down at a hooded figure. A deep growl escaped him.

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon looked at the group over in the corner... Then to the gnoll... Then to the barbarian.. and back to the group. She sniffed in the direction of the group then stood on her tip toes. She saw a... a man? She wasn't sure, but someone in a cloak, and the other women seemed to be talking to him, sounding rather fearful. She growled and turned around and slipped silently over to the barbarian.

"Kaegan, was it?" without waiting for a response she pulled him to one side. "Look, everyone else seems busy, so I'll tell you. I live in a small bit of territory at the lower part of the mountains. I don't see many Orcs, but lately, large parties of them have been moving through my territory. The last party was about 100. That was 5 days ago. I left and came to try and find people." She stood back, satisfied she had given her news, letting the barbarian take it in. Then she added, "Thanks for calling your pet off... And what's going on here? I came in to see a woman on the floor..."

 

[poohlive]

KAegan didn't understand much of what was going on, in the confusion he thought it best to just duck his head and be told what to do. That is how he feared best in these types of situations.

He was surprised to see the young woman, who had come into the tavern as a wolf, talk to him, and tell him of orcs. Orcs on the move? That was never good, Kaegan shook his head, looking back at the group.

"They just said we should move. There's someone after one of them, the girl over there."

He pointed to the one that stood in front of the hooded man, the one Gnolly was standing behind, sword ready, eyes eager as daggers plunging into flesh.

"And, I was told for everyone to leave. Something bad is supposed to happen, so we need to go. That's all I know."

 

[Vixandra]

Vell

I watched the confusion, the vision, people running out and back into the tavern, head tilted to the side.
But it was the mention of orcs that got me. I rather disliked the smelly stupid things and was always up for removing a few of them from the world.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice charming, something I seem to be able to do whether I want to or not. "I couldn't help but overhear that you've an orc problem. I am a Cleric of St Cuthbert and would like to join any orc hunting party you put together, if you're in need of a good healer and fighter."

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon turned and looked at the healer. She seemed scincere. "Sure, but I don't know if we have an Orc problem yet. I'm only here to report what I saw, but I'm sure the more fighters they have, the better off you all are. You should talk to that blonde lady, over there by that table." She gestured to the corner where the two women and the Barbarians pet were standing talking to the shadowy figure.

Gideon growled softly. There was something she did not like about that figure.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

Shakira began to panic. Why had they gone back inside? Did they not believe her?

She stumbled back into the tavern and made her way to Sparrow's table. When she cought sight of the shadowy figure they were confronted with, she halted and backed right into the Barbarian. She looked up at him with frightened eyes.

"My name is Shakira, I came here for the Camelan Provance because of dreams. Dreams of death and pain. I do not lie Barbarian. Unless we get those two out of here now, they will be the first to die. One of us has something that unholy bastard wants, and he will gut every last one of to find it."

She motioned towards Sparrow and Amanda. Something had to be done, and fast.

 

[Vixandra]

Vell

The woman growled at a man who I swear reeked of something... magic I think. It sent a shiver through me, much like Bloodtalon had done. I smiled rakishly- Bloodtalon was the dragon who'd contributed her skin to my armor.

I walked slowly over to the group near the corner, giving the cloaked one a wide berth, keeping well away from him.
To the blonde, I said, "I'm Velldandi Ste Cuthe, a cleric. I'd like to join your party, if you're in need of healer."

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon flicked her ears. She heard the woman, the one who was on the floor when she came in, say that the two by the table would be the first to die. She wrapped her hand around the two women's arms and hissed into their ears, quietly, so the cloaked figure couldn't hear. "The vision woman says we have to leave. Now. Or you two will die." She tugged gently on their arms, as they didn't seem to be responding.

 

[ShyWetThief]

OOC - *scrambles to catch up with the action* ... *grins*

Praxis stands slient as the moments seem to stretch out into ages. As Amanda reaches for the box, it seems to rise of it's own will and float lazily toward the cloaked figure, who finally speaks.

"Yes, I summoned you." His voice is gravelly and low, easily heard in the now mostly-empty tavern. "I need to find a ruin, a very special ruin. It will be sitting on the banks of a lake north of -"

While Praxis speaks, Sparrow seems nearly paniked that she's loosing the box. She barely sees the others around her, barely hears them. She mustn't let him have it, she keeps repeating to herself, but she feels powerless to move.

It's only as someone (the wolf-woman, she thinks) touches her arm that she snaps out of her fear enough to move. She shoots the woman a look of half crazed fear, takes a small step, and lunges for the box (interrupting Praxis mid-speech). The move seems over dramatic, but she succeeds in catching the box and tumbling over the table to the other side.

Trying to scramble out of his reach, though, she feels a large hand touch her shoulder lightly, and she freezes to the spot, more out of fear than magic.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Too much is happening too quickly. It is at moments like this that the young deer is taken by the wolf.

"Everyone, out of the tavern. Now."

Young as I am, and foolish as my mother would say, I can nevertheless sense when things are about to plummet over a cliff.

"Praxis, speak quick or follow us. I mean no disrespect, but the only ones who will reman in this tavern are those who are dead or dying, and I wish to be neither."

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis nods once and turns, as if to leave. His touch slides lower to settle at the small of Sparrow's back, making it seem almost as if he was escourting her out. He pauses at the sight of the Gnoll, though, and chuckles.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

My second sword is re-drawn, and I walk backward, with Gnolly of all ironies, making sure all of those that I inexplicably count as friends escape harm.

"Now, once we are in a safe place, I would appreciate it if we could find out why we all happen to find ourselves strangers one moment, friends-in-arms the next. Praxis?"

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis nods, as if in agreement with Amanda's wishes and calmly walks to the back exit. Sparrow walks with him, seemingly willingly enough. The only signs of her aggitation at her situation, are her wide, nervous eyes, and the death grip she has on the box.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: for the record, the gnoll's name is Matteo. Kaegan calls him Gnolly, because... well he's a gnoll, and since Kaegan thinks of him as a pet, Kaegan named him Gnolly. Kaegan is not very original with names. His dog was named doggy, his fish was named fishy, and his gnoll is named Gnolly.



Matteo followed the woman, his small beady eyes trained tight on the entire group, growling and snapping at anyone who came too close. It was not a matter of friendship or loyalty, since he was loyal to no one, and the person who does not kill you this minute, can not be trusted the next.

Kaegan didn't think so, however, "Gnolly, come on."

Finally out the back door, the gnoll took his side behind Kaegan, who petted him on the head nicely, "What's going on? Someone said something about orcs on the run, lot's of them. And there are visions of death, and everything else. I don't know what to do."

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon growled and kept one eye on the cloaked man, Praxis they called him. She didn't like him too much. In response to Kaegans comment she stated simply, "That was me. I've been seeing Orc scouting parties for a while, so I decided to come into town and warn you all, see what you wish to do about the situation. I mean no harm, and I vow not to lay a finger on anyone while in the city. You can trust me." With her last comment she looked each and every one of the people surrounding her in the eyes, trying to let them know she meant it. She wouldn't be suprised if they didn't. She didn't think she would if roles were reversed. But she wouldn't harm anyone. Unless she had good cause.

She wouldn't feed. She preferred feeding in human form, but the wolf in her needed to be fed, otherwise when she transformed, it was beyond her control, and innocents could get hurt.

 

[ShyWetThief]

ooc - poohlive, would you prefer us to address him as Matteo?

Once outside and a safe distance away, Praxis stops, listening to the group, and Sparrow stops as well, shifting uncomfortably.

"Let me assure you," Praxis speaks again. "That no one has anything to fear in my presence. Second, I myself am capable of visions, and I sensed no such danger. I'm sure you had the best of intentions," he speaks almost soothingly, as if to placate a child. "But there was certainly no need to panic so."

Sparrow looked up, nervous eyes darting to meet everyone elses. "Well, uh... It's been a great time... I'd love to stay and chat, but I really have to go talk with a friend of mine about all of this...."

She begins to inch away from Praxis, and he chuckles, as if amused, and puts a hand on her shoulder again, making her even more nervous. "Come, fledgling, you can't leave yet. I'm sure all of us are dying to know- what's in your box?" His voice is even, and even spoken lightly, but the dark tone of dominence is cleverly hidden among his words. Sparrow seems to sense this and drop her eyes again.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

Shikira was overcome with despiration.

"NO SPARROW!!! DON'T TELL HIM!!"

Praxis looked directly at her and she was struck down by searing pains in her stomach. She groaned loudly and buckled to the ground.

Through the pain she whispers.. "He is death."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I have been focused on the wolf-woman's warning of Orcs. My yellow eyes glint in her direction, an all-too Orcish reaction. My Orcish blood boils with my human hate of orcs.

Then I am snapped back to the present by Praxis. I can see Sparrow's sudden submission to his will, and I become concerned for her. It's my way, thanks to my mother's training. I come down on the underdog's side, and while Praxis has important information that I sense will be our ... undoing? glory? I don't know.

"NO SPARROW!!! DON'T TELL HIM!!"

The vision-woman is quite clear which side she is on. She falls to the ground as Praxis looks at her.

"Praxis, your power appears to have a poor effect on those around you. Before you accidentally harm someone, I would like to know, why was I summoned to meet you."

I try to remain calm, but the sight of a gnoll and talk of orcs has set me afire inside. Once more, I silently curse my unknown orcish father.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis turns his glance casually toward the ranger yet again. His gravelly voice seems almost kind, as though he has no intentions of hurting anyone.

"I tried to tell you before. There's a ruin in the mountains north of here, I'm more than able to fend for myself, but finding my way through a thick wood is another matter. I'll need a ranger, a talented ranger who's able to guide me through the Orc lands." he pauses. "I was told you were the best."

Sparrow, meanwhile, stands very still and prays to any god that will listen to make her invisble. She always knew that there was something wrong with Praxis... something very wrong, but she never suspected that he was magical until today.

Slowly, a plan forms in her jumbled thoughts. She glances at Kaegan and his companion, trying to catch his eye. As soon as Praxis spoke next, she'd bolt for them. The barbarian hated magic as much as she did, if not more. He might be able to protect her.