The Lion's Return

[cremebrulee]

FAHIN

As the battle, if you could call it that, ensued, I watched from my place on the roof of the place. I could see more than what was really going on in front of me, and that ability had proved useful over the past years while guarding the young prince. Glass shattered, boars grunted from the weight they bore and I could smell the putrid odor of Orc rising up to my nostrils.
Slowly, almost effortlessly, I chaged into another form, the form of a giant warrior. I tavelled silently to the back of the place, just outside the back door, and came around to the side of the building where I would be seen.
For years I have been known to Garad as only Mizpah the eccentric and lonely woman that lived all her days at the inn. He has always been protected from episodes like this one tonite with no clue as to how. It seemed natural to him and he lived with little fear, keeping his spirit honest and trusting.
As my warrior form reached the entrance I observed the situation inside. The foul smelling orcs were trying to get to Garad, but being Orcs they were more anger, hunger and brute strength than intelligence, so they were not succeeding in getting close just yet. The Orc witch on the other hand, was slithering closer ~ step by evil step. She was determined to have the praise and the gold from her king and would stop at nothing to get it. I moved forward, knocking aside anything that stood in my path.

 

[Vixandra]

Vix snorted with laughter as the orc stuggled to gain his feet, howling over the knife still in his belly. She didn't get angry though untill he turned away from her to head for the young serving boy. Then she got rather irate.
A battle cry that was a melding of both a human scream and a fox's high pitched yip echoed through the room. The ord still had a surprised look on its face as its head rolled across the floor, the body still standing spewing blood around the room. A dying blow of the mace caught Vix by surprise, knocking her into the mage. The force had bruised a few ribs and a lot of pride to say the least.

 

[Lateral]

Garad

Garad pauses half-way to Baran, and turns to see a huge orc moving towards him. The lad can do little but stand, frozen to the spot, and stare - and then, from behind the creature comes a singing blade, and then its foul head is bouncing across the floor, a fountain of blood issuing from its neck. The lad is still a moment more, ere he gathers his wits - it isn't the first time he's seen a bar-brawl, but no doubt one of the most serious - and heads once more towards Baran, who reaches beneath the bar, and pulls forth a bundle of cloth.

Spotting the approach of Garad, the innkeeper tosses the bundle towards the lad, who catches it instinctively. "Remember how I taught you to use that, lad. Keep out of trouble," Baran calls out to him, before he climbs over the bar, and moves to stand near Jondin. "I'm getting too old to this," he mutters to the other man, looking grim as he surveys the scene quickly, longsword gleaming in his hand. "But I'll be buggered before I let these bastards make a mess of me inn!"

Garad, meanwhile, unwraps the bundle hastily - and within is a fine short sword, just the right length for the lad to wield comfortably. Tossing the cloth aside, he holds the blade in front of him - looking entirely as if he doesn't know what to do with it - and remains motionless, watching the events unfold before him, and preparing to react to anything unexpected.

 

[cremebrulee]

FAHIN

As Garad was handed the blade, I scanned the room. The head of the first orc lay near the knife wielding lady warrior and the one who had fallen into the window was muttering and not too bloodied. If one stepped back, one could see that the scene was not as chaotic as it felt in the midst of it all. On the far side of the room, the orc witch slid unnoticed towards the young Garad.
Garad stood holdong a short sword looking rather bewildered as I made my advance. Intending to block the witch's path I moved as quickly and stealthly as possible. She did not take notice as her greed and hatred were her driving force, so as she neared the boy I took one deep breath and stood four times her size between them.
"Out of my way, you brute! The boy will not be harrrrmed," she hissed,"He isssss... mine to deal with."
Still unawaare of the imminent danger he was in, Garad raised his sword over the second advancing orc.
The orc, being easy to confuse, was a target that could not be missed for me. I placed myslef luminously between the boy and orc as I stay physically guarding Garad from the witch.
The frustration of the orc mounted and he was making such a fuss in trying to get to Garad that the witch turned her attention
his direction.
"I told you to leave the boy to me, idiot!" She screeched.
Still vainly attempting to get to the boy for his own gain, the orc did not see the witch advancing on him. As she raised her primitive weapon high over the orcs head, I saw the flash of blade and the witch turned her attention, screaming to the woman who had directed it her way. The better of the witch's two eyes had beed impaled with an expertly thrown dagger and her anger was fueling her.
Still at bay form my magick, the other orc fell to the broadsword of another fighter somewhere in the room. The witch was only deterred momentarily from her hunger for blood money, and she turned once again to
Garad. He raised his sword with all the courage he had and I stood still between the two waiting and ready. He was comfortable with the sword, but not the situation.
"Boy, you will now come with me. I will not harm you if you do what is told."
"I will not, witch. My place is here" replied Garad.
"Then perhaps you would rather do this the hard way..."
She raised her weapon high over his head ready to strike. Garad took a jab at her midsection, but the old hag was no novice and deflected the move with ease. Just as she was ready to strike, I knew it was time to intervene. I drew my broadsword and in a mere instant the arm she was attempting to strike the boy with, lay on the ground at her feet.
"MONSTER!" she screeched. "YOU WILL PAY!!"
It was not a battle of wits, nor a battle of strength and it was short lived. As the orc lay on the ground breathing irregularly, I knelt down and looked deep into her eyes. She knew now by my eyes who I really was.

"Curssssssse you.... Fahin... thought you were dead"

"Not as long as I have duty, I will live on as long as I am needed here."

"You will never survive the next attack. More...*cough* will come.... soon, very sooooon"

"Goodbye, witch," I said calmly as I drove the last of my longsword into her belly.

 

[DarkTalon]

Luckis

As the boy stood frozen unwrapping his short sword , some orcs Had snuck upon him with out his knowledge. Luckis quickly had both parts to his staff in hand and headed toward Them Hi job was to bring the kid Back unharmed .Like hell he was going to let some damn orcs Claim my fee. Soon He swung his Bone club Knocking an orc out cold . Than swinging his bone sword at another slicing in to the orc. "Boy You Must Be Fast on your feet or you'll taste defeat." The boy garad seem to be slightly overwhelmed with it all " Well than just stick with me boy I'll Show you How its done." As he said this to the Boy An Orc witch Approached And than Some spirit Protected to Boy .


OOC: Sorry I started my post be for the above post had been add I edited the best i Could For now. I hav sent you a pm please let me know whats up

 

[The GrandMage]

Tobias, Third Level Wizard's Apprentice

He was brushed out of the way by the warrior. He looked around, trying to find someplace he could be helpful. Everything was happening so fast! What was going on? Who were some of these people?

Suddenly, something very large hit him. His quarterstaff fell away and he fell back, the thing falling on him. His hands went out to try and find out what the thing was. His eyes went wide, but his hands didn't move. It was the warrior! God, she was kind of hot, wasn't she?

"Oh! Hi! You fight very well, don't you?"

He pulled his hands away, realizing only now that he knew who it was where his hands had been. Probably not the best of places. "You okay, Vixan? Need any healing?"

 

[Vixandra]

Vixan

After sending a dagger at the hag-like monster that was aproching the boy, Vix turned to Tobias. "Don't get all scared on me okay?"
Before he could answer her ears shifted, growing longer, peeking out of her long braid, the ears of a fox. A tail, reaching the floor easily, joined the ears through a special flap in her armor, all three of them covered in soft red fur. A quick smile flashed two lengthened incisors (I know I can't spell). "All better. Damn orcs. Can you do something to catch their attention so I can start picking them off?"
Without waiting for an answer she did a quick inventory. She cursed under her breath, down to only six other throwable blades plus her two short swords. Time to get serious. She could smell a number of orcs remaining alive, though it was hard to tell for the dead ones had apparently lost control of some bodily functions.
Sidestepping that, Vix rose gracefully, helped Tobias up and made her way tword her next target, tail swaying softly behind her. She managed a quick plunge of the blade into his neck, knocked the body out of the way and moved on, more careful this time of any death blows. She saw the boy was being taken well care of and decided to prevent anyone else from coming in the front door- something she accomplished with deadly accuracy though she did pick up a few bruises and a couple of cuts in the process.

 

[The GrandMage]

Tobias, Wizard's Apprentice

He nodded, watching her as she changed. He blinked, hios mind running high-speed. "Wow. Therianthrope changes, and it seems at will. Born that way? Fox qualities..."

Suddenly, her name and the people she said she was from jumped to mind. "Interesting. I'd like to study the effects of the change later, if, ummm, you don't mind. Oh, wait, battle, yes. Diversion, no problem!"

He followed her, muttering to himself. As they went to the doors he threw his hands out with a yell. "Flames of Azevilth!"

Flame jumped from his palms, lighting up whatever orcs were left that he could see. He didn't get a good look, being more worried about the accompanying side-effect of the spell. He jumped back, waving his arms as the flames caught on his robes. "Veztilk! Vestilk! Yeztilk!"

Upon saying the third word, the flames on his robes abruptly went out, and he turned his attention to the warrior. She seemed hurt. But when would he be able to heal her during a fight? He was confused.

 

[Indy Bill]

Oster
IC
Oster, regaining his feet with Garad's help, regained his senses.
"Wait....ahh..boy, thanks." Taking in the group gathered in the common room his eyes fixed on a young woman who turned into a fox and a young man thowing fire.
"oooo....This is a special Inn isn't it." Above the din of the battle he heard his ox roar.
What??...Hold on boy I'm coming." The portly warrior limped to the door slashing down an orc that jumped to meet him. His sword blooded. he headed to the threshold a woman barred his way.
"Make way Lass I must see to my animals."

 

[DarkTalon]

Luckis

This was a special boy wasn't he. The Spirit warrior would make it tough for him to just snatch the kid. He would Have to Build trust. Than sudenly His eyes cought the sight of A woman changing in to A Fox . "she's a Kanius" he wisperd under his breth . Than out of the corner Of his He thought he saw a an elven mystic Out sid a window. He quicly tured to The Spirit, Baran, And Jondin " Yall Get the boy out of here hes the one they whont and I don.t think the orcs are the only ones here... Now Move !! And Ill Cetch up." He than rushed of As The Next Wave of orcs Swept in Luckis Fought with A type of Viceus grace . Swinging Bone sword and club Making His Way to the lady Fox. Some orcs Started to drop from the celling above the fox and the gentalmen with her ." Look out from above!!!"

 

[Vixandra]

Cursing methodicaly all the while, Vixan made her way through her foes, keeping Tobias at her back. Her breathing was a pinch labored, nothing she could deal with now so she force herself to ignore it, though the partial change had helped heal most of the damage. Anything she picked up from this point would need either a full change or healing.
A grunt from above drew her attention up. Somehow the orcs had managed to infest the rafters like birds in a storm. She cursed again, rather colorfully, the air tinging blue around her.
"Come along, magelette!" She saw the boy and his party. "The lot of you- out this door! There's help outside!"
Vix then sounded her call to arms, a high pitched yipping shout that was answered outside. She nodded, smiled and started clearing a path out.
Feeling the man near her she turned to watch Luckis bring down a few orcs of his own. Since he seemed to be on her side for now she allowed him to carry on.
"Okay- we're going outside now!" she yelled, forcing her way through the door at last and clearing a path alongside Luckis for the others to follow.

 

[Darklord]

Jondin

Jondin and Baran were staying busy trying to keep the orcs away from Garad and themselves. As Jondin brought the end of his staff down on another orcs head splitting it like a watermelon he grabbed the Blind man's arm and dragged him to his feet, spilling the last of his ale out onto the bar top. "We're going lad, follow sharp!" he said to Garad and to the blind man he said "Come on, I don't know yer name but Young'in sounds good to me." as he Baran, Young'in and Garad all hustled for the door being cleared by the Fox looking woman.

As they went, he saw some man looking like a walking weapons store hacking up some orcs, and some wizard looking lad also by the Fox woman. "Ye gods!" he thought "This is a motley assortment of people ain't it?" as he swept another orc out of the way with the staff as Baran guarded his back as they fought their way towards the door.....

 

[PmTick]

Leoic watched the inn burst into activity from across the street. There was no reason for him to get involved in the fights, especially being wounded already. He sat on the soft earth, waiting for the battle to end.

 

[The GrandMage]

Tobias, Wizard Apprentice.

"Shit!" He dove for his pack, throwing the light thing over his back as he followed the therianthrope outside. He felt weak. Looking at her, he realized she'd probably need a healing. He grimaced at the thought.

The healing he'd been taught was awfully painful, and it'd waste most of his remaining magical power. He followed her closely, being almost completely defenseless without his quarterstaff.

"Are they gone yet?" He wondered how many there were, and if they were dead yet. Battle was not his strong point, at least, not in an Inn and with such enemies. He wished he'd been taught use of weapons, or at least had better control of his magic.

 

[Vixandra]

Vixan

Somehow, one of Tobias' spells had managed to catch the inn on fire. Most of the other inhabitants had fled, leaving the orcs to burn inside.
The assembled party got out just in time.
Daunted then remaining orcs had fled, chased along thier way by a giant fox the size of a horse. The creature came prancing back, tongue lolling out of its mouth. Vix whistled to it and praised it generously, scratching behind its ears and crooning to it.
"This is Briony," she said. "And I'm Vixan of the Dancing Foxes, this magelette under my protection is Tobais. Who are the rest of you?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Tobias, Wizard's Apprentice

"My name's Tobias, do you need any healing?" He asked the fox-woman. Instead, she turned to the others, giving his name. He realized that he'd just said it. Perhaps she was changing the subject? Didn't want to be seen as weak?

Or, he realized suddenly, to show she wasn't an enemy or wild. He realized that not everyone had spent years under a wizard, and such a sight must be odd or frightening to many of them. He looked over, and noticed his spell had caught the Inn on fire.

"Ahhh! Oh, crap! Is anyone in there? Should I put it out? Oh, Gods, I'm so sorry, does anyone know who owns the establishment?"

He stopped himself, realizing he was talking hurriedly. He wondered if Vixan needed a healing. Her wounds didn't seem that bad, he might be able to heal her and put out the fire, but what if there were orcs inside who'd attack?

Worse yet, what if there were people inside? He felt horrible. It was his fault the place was on fire. He rushed over to it. "Oh, Gods, what's the spell to put out flames? Vestilk! No, that's not it, oh Gods, what if somebody's in there? Oh, it's all my fault, I should have more control!"

 

[Vixandra]

Vix looked at Tobias and laid a hand on his shoulder. "There's only Orcs inside don't worry."
She turned too suddenly and gasped in pain. "If you want," wince, "you could practice your healing on me."
She knelt down, Briony laying down next to her. Vix leaned into the giant fox. Now that the battle was over her body was realizing just how hurt it was. She hissed in pain as she sat down. "Damn orcs."

 

[DarkTalon]

Luckis

luckis Rushed from The building Leaving the orcs to thier own. He returned his staff parts to his Back. When they cleared the Inn The Fox Introd her Self And then Tobias did the same . "I'm Luckis Of The Inv..." He pauses what he was saying When he Cought a glims of the elven Mystic He thought he saw eirlyer go in to the burning Inn. " Did any of you Seee that?" No one did "I'll be Find You Later " he said to Vix He than truned and ran in to the fire.

 

[The GrandMage]

Tobias, Wizard's Apprentice

He ran to Vixan's side, holding up his hands. He tuned out everything else, laying his hands on her and closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, and began. His hands took on a light blue glow, and his back stiffened as he released his breath in a hiss.

Pain surged through his body as he took the pain of her wounds unto himself. He wasn't trained particulary well in this area of the spell, usually using it only on himself and thus not taking on the pain of others.

Her wounds began to close, healing over in a matter of minutes and becoming whole again. The pain continued on, him taking the pain of flesh being forcedly healed onto himself.

He fell back with a small cry once he once done, breathing deeply as his eyes opened. He felt very weak, having used up what magic he hand. His finger twitched.

"T-th-that work, V-Vixan? Owwww."

 

[Xenocide_613]

Balfor Hammerheaver

The dwarf hadn’t realized the boar would fight as hard as it did.

“Ye durned fool beast!” He growled as he swatted the boar with the flat of his axe, trying to keep the animal from tusking him.

Somehow the inn had caught on fire, and Balfor glanced around the beast to see everyone gathered outside and a lone man run back in. The boar came in again, tusks aimed at gutting the dwarf.

He hopped back, thrusting the axe hilt down on the beast’s snout as he grabbed the tusk with his other hand. The boar pulled back and the dwarf held on stubbornly, and was tossed up onto the beast’s back.

Balfor roared in delight as he grabbed the reigns and dug in to the back of the animal with his stubby legs. The boar took off at full run, straight into the wall of the inn. The boar slammed the wall and rebounded and the dwarf landed hard on the beast’s snout. The boar thrashed its head, but the dwarf refused to yield. He held onto the greasy mane and hacked away with his axe.

Blood and greasy clumps of fur flew everywhere as the dwarf hacked into the boar’s skull. “Hold still so I can kill ye, dangnabbit!” he yelled as the beast continued to thrash.

Finally, the animal stopped moving and fell to the ground, blood frothing from its mouth as it panted. Balfor Hammerheaver climbed out from behind the fallen animal’s tusks and gave the beast a final chop to the throat. The boar wheezed as blood poured from its mouth, then it went silent. “See, ye had at go an get yerself kilt,” he said to the now motionless boar.

He ran over to the others, stumpy legs pumping hard. He wiped boar blood from his face with the sleeve of his tunic, but it was equally stained and he only served to smear the blood around. “Bah!” he grumbled, realizing the futility of his efforts. He looked up to those gathered outside the burning inn. He spat and pulled a clump of boar fur from his blond beard. Then he turned to the inn patrons he didn’t recognize.

“Me name’s Balfor Hammerheaver. I’m the local smithy.” he said, in introduction and motioned to his shop. “What’re ye havin’ orcs over for supper for, Baran? I thought ye had more sense then that!” he jibed at his long time neighbor, smirking.

 

[DarkTalon]

Elven Mystic/ and Luckis

Elven Mystic


The elven mystic stood ver the body of the Orc witch" Usless hagg" he than Mumble d a few words . sudenlyThe magic and spirit of the hagg Floted from her body and towords Him . He took a deep breth and inhelled the spirit. The Mystic turned and left

~ I cac't beleve i gave her a spell to mutiply her orcs and she still feld he was an help less boy~ He thought to himself as he enterd the forest nerrest the building.




Luckis

Luckis enterd the burning In to no aveil The Elven myyystic he had seen was no where to be seen " Damn it I must be dilusional ." as he said that flames flered and the building started to crumble He found a wine Cellur Dor and To refuge in ther as the Buillding Colapsed around him

 

[Darklord]

Jondin

As Tobias and Vixandra went through their introductions then quick healing sessions, Jondin had been fumbling in his shirt for something, with a sigh he withdrew a flask of whiskey he kept there for emergency situations like this. Taking a nice long pull, he then walked over to Tobias and proffered the flask to the mage saying. "Here lad, this'll fix yer shakes right quick. Go on, take a pull."

While this was happening, Balfor came stumping up wiping boar blood and guts off of himself. At his jibe at Baran, Jondin replied "At least we attempt to cook our food first, and don't just eat it raw stumpy!" as he gestured towards the burning inn where orcs could be seen runnning around in the flames, roasting alive. Unknown to most of the people there other than Baran, and Garad, these two men, Jondin and Balfor have always seemed to dislike each other, though it was something more than that. It was a case where they disliked each other enough that they got along quite well....

 

[cats]

Xeil

IC: Fate is such a strange thing. I don't know why these poeple try to fight it, I did once and I'm dyeing nameless just the same. I siped a bit more from my glass. Here they are fighting a small army of orcs. I can hear them all runing about and their swords slashing each other, but when ever one of these orcs die anotehr one takes it's place. Thats why I'm just going to enjoy my drink while I die.

I hear a bunch of screams from orcish mouth. Is it me or did it get warmer in here all the suden? Oh well heat like this won't effect me, I trianed msyelf for dragons breath, hell what a waste of time that was, if I had conditioned my body the dragon would of killed me and then I'd be saved the trouble of dieing a poor blind man.

"Baran, can I get anotehr drink?" 'Help your self!' I herd the cracking of chair against something. Probably just anotehr orc. I held my stick against the benched and began to finger the bottles, hopeing to find one I could afford. I think this is ale. I poured the liquid into my mug. One last of mug of ale wouldn't be to much it'd make saleing my armor less painfull. I held the glas up to my lips when an oder cought me. "God damn it! This is wine I can't aford this!" Well I'll just put it back into the bottle. I grabed the bottle of wine and began to poor the drink back into the bottle.

'Lets get out of ehre young'n' The man that was next to me grabed my arm and pulled me out, I droped what I had in my hands trying to regain control of the situation, but I'll a grabed was my staff.

Outside the fighting soon hulted and every one was elft looking at a talking girl and the mage. The girl was drawing some looks from the crowd judgeing by their silence. I wonder if her shirt was ton off during the fight or something, no it's more liekyl she's just bleeding badly judgeing from her voice.

Prehaps I should save a girl of my own, it'd be a waste of a good sword. I began to find my way back to the inn, a triesome task with so many bodies to manuver around. I finally found the door, I kenw it was the right building because the heat. I walked in and moved towards where the stairs were. The smoke was bit bothersome.

I found my room and elt myself in. I used my staff to find my now burning bed, reaching under it I grabed my sword scabard and all. I starped it to my back and then heared sounds comeing from the roof. "Crap." I had to get out fast I leaped for the window, but slammed head first into a wall wich made further sounds.

Okay lets be less cocky this time. I took my staff and found the wall. i placed my hand against it to find the window all the while the sounds of the burning rafters telling me this place was made udner budget. "Their" I punched the window breaking the glass. With my fisted hand I made sure the glass was broken out of my way, giveing me a few scratches. Then I jumped out and landed on the ground.

With a loud crack from my poorly done landing I felt the increadable soreness in my legs I hadn't felt since the first time I had to jump off a dragon. I had to get up and move though just in case the building falls this way.

I managed to find my way over to the group who was still talking. "Baran, I beleave I owe you for that last bottle of wine." Most people wouldn't fallow threw this, especilly if they had no money, but baran has a child to take care of and just lost all but the cloaths on his back.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Balfor Hammerheaver

“Bah! Shut yer yappin!” the gruff dwarf replied as he flicked another clump of fur from his beard. “I’d rather eat fresh dead boar than roasted orc, or I’m a bearded gnome!” he exclaimed to Jondin, sounding a little too much like he had made the choice before.

Balfor looked back to the inn sadly as it began to crash in on itself. He then went back to cleaning his beard.

“Durn beasts stink like the nine hells!” he ranted, pulling a piece of bone out of his hair. “And the boar was bad, too!”

Then the blind dragoon managed to find his way to the gathered inn patrons. Balfor looked about everyone gathered. Baran looked sadly as the inn burned itself to the ground. The bloody dwarf walked over to the newly homeless innkeep.

“Ye an yer staff can stay at me home until we get yer inn rebuilt.” he looked at the rest of the patrons. “Can’t put up all O’ dem, though.”

 

[cats]

Xeil

IC: All and all I lost maybe a very little money, one or two shirts and my water skin. Forunetly I was wareing my armor one last time before saleing it, and I managed to get cold edge here. So I have almost every thing I still own.

Baran on the other hand is odviously in finacial trouble now. he lost his home, his stock of wine and ale, alot of it very expensive, and I would imagine most of his postions are in that rubble. I hope he kept a stash of money some where out here for a bad day.

By this time the dwarf and old man had quit their little jokes. The reality must of hit them. 'ye and yer staff can stay at me home until we get yer inn rebuilt.' The dwarf went silent. I walked further into the crowd wondering what would be said next. 'Can’t put up all O’ dem, though.' I could only assume he was refering to all of us. "I don't know about teh others but I'll be fine as long as I don't have to sleep in a corpse of an orc."

Their was anotehr pause of silence. "Any one have something to drink? Because nows a much better time to toast to the end of a bad day" Oh great now I'm the one makeing jokes, when the hell did I become cheery? Especilly in a bad situation?