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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 20, 2009 20:14:52 GMT -5
Leah followed Monkuta into the woods and up to a small pond. She helped herself to some water before she answered him, giving herself time to decide what to tell him.
"I told you, my name is Lea." She answered calmly. She thought about denying that she was anything other than a barmaid, but decided that honesty might be the better option since he was a ranger. She was taking a huge risk if he turned out to be working against Araluen, but she didn't see much of a choice short of killing them both and that would just be a waste.
She stared him down for a moment or two with her arms crossed and then reached into her bag carefully and took out a small satchel and drew out a folded piece of parchement. She didn't know how to read, but Dougal had told her that it contained her orders should she require to show her credentials. He had told her that the orders read;
"Avalea Goldsmith, Lt., Trainee Araluen Army, Scout division
Standing Orders: Pursue and capture one Harold Quinn, outlaw, murderer and traitor to the Crown of Araluen. Wanted alive if possible. Deadly force is authorized. Authorized to arrest accomplices.
By order of the Supreme Commander, Araluen Army."
and it was supposed to have been signed by Sir David.
"But you are right, I am not a simple barmaid." She handed the parchement to Monkuta. "I am undercover on the trail of a killer and traitor to the King." She waited while he read it, figuring he would have questions.
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Post by JezusBagels on Jun 20, 2009 20:28:47 GMT -5
Monkuta took the paper from his hands, giving it a once over. If he gained nothing from his childhood of nobility, he at least learned how to read. It came in handy every now and then. He smiled at the paper. He held it up so that Marina could see it. "And this is why you should always listen to me, princess," he said, knowing that even if she didn't show it, the fact that she had been wrong would be killing her inside. Examining the credentials closer, he looked for any signs of forgery. He still wasn't sure about the woman. He folded up the paper in his hand and looked up at Lea. "Tell me," he began. "What did this fellow do to deserve this sentence?"
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Post by ivory on Jun 20, 2009 21:10:22 GMT -5
Marina's mouth opened again in shock at Lea's confession and she swirled to face her, eyes wide not in horror, but in awe. She bit her bottom lip to keep back the urge to ask the thousand questions crashing through her mind and when Monkuta held out the paper to her, she quickly scanned it with her own eyes. She couldn't believe it! The woman was undercover! Her glee was hardly hidden, shining brightly in her triumphant smile - regardless that she'd been made a fool.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 8:30:34 GMT -5
"Tell me," he began. "What did this fellow do to deserve this sentence?"
Lea smiled in amusement at the exchange between ranger and apprentice, then contemplated Monkuta's question.
"Well, he has been working in Araluen castle for several years and apprently was able to listen in on a lot of the business conducted by the king. He had found a secret passage behind the King's study and was able to hear King Duncan's most private conversations.
He got caught selling that information to someone in the Araluen underground, I don't know who - someone else has been assigned to follow up on that - and when he was found out he killed the courier who discovered his activities.
He went on the run to get out of the country and left a trail of bodies from Araluen here to Seacliff. I have been close to him twice, but he has connections within the theif's guild and possibly the assassin's guild and got word someone was hunting him and slipped away.
That is why I was working for Boston. Boston has been helping him. I just found out about four days ago that Quinn is on his way to some village in the Mountains of Rain and Night. Apparently there is some big secret organization there, though I could not get any more out of Boston about it. He told me that anyone who so much as hints that this place exists is eliminated - quickly and quietly."
Lea knelt down by the pond and washed off her face, arms and knees.
"I was trying to get on board a ship because Boston said there was one leaving for the Southern Cliffs today, but he got away from me and put out the word that I am to be detained. Probably killed, if I know him. I tried to stow away on the ship two days ago, but his men caught me and brought me back to him. That was when he and I reached an understanding. Or so I thought. Apparently he still has a price on my head though, since I can't seem to get near the docks without getting jumped."
Lea stood up and looked at Monkuta. "I could use your help to get me on that ship. Once it leaves port I will be out of Boston's influence, but until then, I am afraid I am public enemy number one in Seacliff."
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Post by JezusBagels on Jun 21, 2009 9:44:30 GMT -5
Monkuta furrowed his brow, taking in her words. He nodded as she spoke. This was almost too coincidental. Was she still lying to them? It was entirely possible, but this time she wasn't giving any hints. He would trust her until he had a reason not to.
"A village in the Southern Cliffs, you say? How convenient for all of us, then," he said, forcing a smile on his face. "The Corps. has sent us on a mission to investigate just that. Word of its existence reached us not too long ago and we believe it may be harboring fugitives and hosting illegal activities."
He was skeptical about sharing this information with her. It was definitely against protocol, but she seemed to know just as much about it as they did. It could do no damage as long as they were all headed there anyway.
"You're a very good liar, Lea. You must know that I can't very easily trust anything you tell us from this point on. On the other hand, when dealing with bandits, smugglers and fugitives, a good liar is always useful," he said. He had no intention of revealing his own skill as an actor. Everything that didn't need to be said would remain hidden... If Marina could keep her mouth shut for more than five minutes.
He let his gaze shift to his apprentice who didn't seem to be paying much attention to the situation. He sighed in disappointment before looking at Lea again. "As long as we're all working towards the same goal," he began. "Allies?" he suggested, extending his hand for a shake.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 10:30:08 GMT -5
Lea smiled warmly at him and shook his hand, "Agreed!" She had grinned when he said she was a good liar. Apparently the training she had recieved had enhanced her skills learned on the streets over the years. One had to lie to survive in her world, though she didn't particularly enjoy deceiving people. "Sorry about lying to you. I wasn't sure if you were part of those protecting Quinn or working for Boston or not. The corruption here in Seacliff runs fairly deep, though I don't think the Baron is in on it. I am in the habit of not trusting anyone and always giving a 'cover' story when I first meet someone. Part of the training."
She adjusted the veil of the dress across her face and walked a few steps then turned and walked back, practicing her "noble" walk with her nose pointed up as she looked down it at Monkuta. "So think this will fool anyone?"
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Post by ivory on Jun 21, 2009 11:22:22 GMT -5
Marina had followed the conversation with wide eyes, captured with every magical word. Well, at the beginning, anyways. Once Monkuta started to talk after Lea mentioned her mission, a butterfly had caught her eye and since it was in her peripherial vision she just had to turn to look. She would've shrugged it off since she'd seen more than her fair share of the creatures, but something behind it vied for her attention, so of course she obliged. It was, well, she wasn't exactly sure what it was, but it was kind of big like a human and its shape was like a man's, but blurred. She'd peered deeper at it, but it was too far away and she couldn't make it out.
Marina had started to take a step toward it when another movement caught her eye and another and another. There had to be about five of them. She wondered if they were some sort of animal and thought to call out to them since she seemed to have a way with animals, but then another movement caught her eye, but this one she could see since it was only a few feet from her. She turned her attention back to the two adults in time to see Lea practice her walk.
"So think this will fool anyone?"
Marina couldn't help it, she snorted then immediately turned it into a cough. Still wheezing, she said, "Yes." The blind ones, she thought with a smirk, but since she knew how hard it actually was she kept that comment to herself.
Once she straightened she turned back to the 'animals' and frowned when she couldn't see them anymore. Funny, she hadn't heard them leave and surly she would have right? I mean, they were man-size...
Nope, there was one. Closer too. She grinned. But where were the others? Surly they wouldn't have just left one to fend for itself would they? Frowning, she tugged on Monkuta's sleeve and whispered, "Don't make any sudden movements, but look at that creature. I think it's a bear, but it's kind of hard to tell. The shape's kind of blurred. What do you think it is?"
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Post by JezusBagels on Jun 21, 2009 13:19:06 GMT -5
Monkuta was amused by Lea's walk as well, though his face showed now sign of it. When Marina indicated the creature in the woods, asking if it might be a bear, he tensed up. He'd had an unfortunate run-in with a bear in his youth and, though he could fight one and win, never felt comfortable doing it. He slowly moved towards the creature, hands behind his back where his knives were quickly accessible. He moved through the brush like a tiger, silent and sure-footed. He had no intention of being caught off guard by something now. Bears traveled in packs and this one would not be an exception.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 13:42:57 GMT -5
Lea tensed and scanned the woods when Josh mentioned something about seeing something in the woods. She didn't think bears would likely be this close to the city, at least not this time of year when there was plenty of food for them deeper in the forrest.
She knelt and pulled both daggers from her boots, but kept them hidden within her skirts. "Did you see more than one whatever it is?" She asked Josh.
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Post by ivory on Jun 21, 2009 14:02:40 GMT -5
"Five, but they're not here anymore. I think they left it behind. Wonder why." Biting her lower lip, she took a few steps toward it, wondering if she could coax it out in the open. Her eyes narrowed as she came closer, scrunching together in confusion. It didn't look like a bear anymore, but a man. Maybe he was hurt. "We won't hurt you," she began to whisper when an arm snaked out and grabbed her. She screamed, but quickly bit it off as she fought to struggle free. She slammed an elbow into his side and moved to bite the arm around her when a knife was pressed against her throat. She froze, fighting the tears of defeat as a rough hand grabbed the two knives at her waist, claiming them as his own. Thinking only of the Lady's safety, she glared at Monkuta, trying to tell him to protect her or else.
And her eyes widened as she saw just how much protection they would need. The other four 'bears' she'd thought gone, had only circled around to cut off any possible exits and were now closing in. "Behind you!" she managed to scream right before she was thrown. The man holding her, figuring she was of no threat, filled the last hole in the circle of his comrads.
Marina watched in horror as the circle round tighter, each snearing face coated in dirt to match their funny clothes that had twigs and leaves stuck to them. [OOC: they're slave capturers for the arena] And each carried deadly weapons and looked like they knew how to use them.
Scrambling to her knees, she searched frantically around her for anything she could use as a weapon.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 15:27:47 GMT -5
Lea heard a step behind her, but didn't react, letting her assailant close, she pretended to be occupied with her boots, her knife ready in her hand.
She felt hot breath on her neck and spun around on her toes and shoved one knife into the man's stomach as she stood up, the other sliced across his throat. In less than two seconds the man was dead and Lea was looking for her next target.
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Post by JezusBagels on Jun 21, 2009 18:44:20 GMT -5
Monkuta spun around when he heard Marina scream. Instinctively, he threw his dagger at the voice and immediately cursed himself for it. Fortunately, Marina was thrown to the ground and the dagger hit the real source of the voice. The man gasped, gurgled a bit and dropped to the ground. He flipped his saxe knife into an underhand position and brought it up to his face, his other hand extended behind him. Two dead, four remained. He only saw three. No time to worry about that. Another man was already charging him, wielding a sword and shield. As the man raised the sword above his head, Monkuta took the opportunity. He kicked the edge of the shield, knocking that arm and thus, the man's only defense away. The pain of his leg connecting with the metal shot up his leg shot up his leg, but he ignored it. He closed in and swiped right with his knife, slitting the man's throat. He finished the movement then, bringing knife back around and deepening the cut. The assailant fell to the ground, head hanging, barely attached to the rest of the body. It was a sickening sight.
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Post by ivory on Jun 21, 2009 19:02:17 GMT -5
Marina found a fist sized rock just as the man who'd held her collapsed to the ground. Scowling at the body, then at the rock for useless time wasted, she dropped the thing and scrambled toward the dead body. She retreived her knives from his waste, spat on his head, took off running...and tripped over the near-headless man. With a shriek of shock, she crashed into the back of another, bringing him down with her. She sent an elbow into some unknown part of the body before scrambling to free herself. When she turned back to face him, she offered a sheepish grin when she noticed that it was her mentor and not one of the men. Before she could grant an apology, not that she would have anyways, she was once again grabbed from behind.
She didn't scream this time, instead stepping hard on the instep of his left foot, elbowed him in the stomach, retreived a knife and slammed it into his opposite thigh. She shivered at his scream of pain and broke out of his grasp...straight into the hands of another. She looked up at the face this time and after confirming that it was indeed a foe, she began to attack.
Regardless that she could take on at least two boys a few years older than she, this man was well, a man. An adult. Not a child. With seemingly ease, he lifted her into the air and threw her toward the edge of the trees. She hit the ground hard, bit through her lower lip, and crashed heavily against a tree. She gritted her teeth at the pain and tried to stand when the tree seemed to grab her. She screamed and tried to jerk away, but a quick blow to the head knocked her out. [OOC: she only saw five, but there are more than that; she doesn't have that well of a trained eye, the rest keep hidden though]
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Post by JezusBagels on Jun 21, 2009 19:11:30 GMT -5
Monkuta fell to the ground, twisting his leg when Marina knocked into him. She had a long way to go. When he finally managed to stand up, he saw her getting thrown into the trees by another man. Enraged, Monkuta charged the man, tackling him and twisting his neck until it broke. The man went limp. Monkuta scowled. When he stood up, Marina was nowhere to be found. The first man he killed was nearby so he quickly scooped his throwing dagger from his chest, sheathing it. Where was she? Where had she been thrown? He looked and she was not there. She must have done the smart thing and gone to hide in the bushes. Good, he thought. Maybe she did have some sense. He didn't have to time to search further. Another attacker was upon him, this one wielding a flail. Impractical as they were, flails kept you at a distance and kept the attacks relatively unpredictable... A ranger's nightmare. He let the man back him into a tree and when he was close enough, Monkuta ducked. The flail embedded itself in the trunk and Monkuta dashed forward, headbutting the man in the gut. He fell to the ground and before the attacker could move, his saxe knife was lodged in his heart. "Lea!" he yelled, yanking his dagger from the corpse. "Where is... Josh?!" He'd almost used her real name. What kind of a fake identity was Josh, anyway?
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 19:30:34 GMT -5
Lea heard movement in the trees away from Josh and the ranger and sent one of her knives flying in that direction. She heard a satisfying thump of a body hitting the ground as she drew another knife.
She saw Josh get dragged off by a man and started to pursue. Another man reached out from behind a tree as Lea passed, trying to grab her. She felt his hand close on her right arm so she slid to a stop suddenly, reversing the long blade in her left hand she stabbed behind her and shoved it under his ribs and up into his heart. She didn't even look to see him fall, keeping her eyes on where the other man was dragging Josh off through the trees, she started running in pursuit again.
She heard the ranger hollar after her and replied, "This way. She is up here, one of them has got her!"
There was more crashing to Lea's right, but she didn't risk a throw while running. She wasn't that good. She kept a mental note of where the attacker was, though, as he moved in at an angle to cut her off.
"There are more of them out here." She called back to the ranger, wondering why he wasn't using his bow. Maybe because of the trees, she thought as she ran, or he hadn't been prepared possibly.
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