Myrydyan Revisted
The first part is basically unchanged. The second part is significantly different. If you see spelling/gammer errors, please point them out. I often miss them, despite the built-in spell-checker.
Myrydyan I: Execution
The door to the cell opened, revealing his quarters. He didn't bother taking note of his surroundings. His greatest concern was the guards. Two of them; neither showing any willingness to enter the room. One armed with a spear, the other a crossbow. He could easily kill them both, but doubtless others were waiting behind them. He would never be able to outrun all of them.
"Up." The spearman tried too hard to hide his voice's tremble. The prisoner rose, adjusted his soiled robes, and moved to the door. The guards remained always out of arm's reach, their weapons ready.
* * *
"Move, wench!" Lynch stumbled as she was pushed forward. She grimaced, but refrained from glancing backwards. Any show of defiance would only make things worse. She trudged up the steps, planning her escape as the guards snickered. She wouldn't be able to win in a fight, these guards were too well trained and out numbered her. Seduction was also no longer an option; her reputation as a black widow was too well known. Normally she could out-run even the elite soldiers, but the ropes on her ankles made even walking difficult. The gallows were close now. She needed to think of something.
* * *
The crowd was the largest in months, possibly even years. The director had two big names on the docket today. Lynch, thief extraordinaire, a virtual man eater; and Lord Null, a powerful magic user, and a literal man eater. Many had died trying to capture both of them.
Lynch was a slippery as a cat; each time they had a report that matched her pattern, she was gone by the time the soldiers got there. The one other time she had been caught, they found the guard without pants and chained to the bed. It was only a stroke of luck this time. She had twisted her ankle running from a noble she had robbed.
Lord Null had finally been caught outside of the outpost of the city, collapsed beneath a tree. The soldiers reported that he screamed louder then any other prisoner had as they shackled and dragged him to the jail house. This they didn't question too much, as what wasn't covered in robes was covered in bloody bandages. All made sure not to touch him.
The noose was being tightened around her neck, and Lynch still had not come up with an escape plan. What she really needed was a diversion. Then she heard explosions and screams. 'That will do nicely,' she thought.
Lord Null managed to make it to the gallows without collapsing from exhaustion. He watched as the director played to the crowd, waiting for the moment of most impact. The noose tightened, the director's speech was nearing it's climax, and Lord Null sensed the energy from the crowd. The moment was perfect. A small, loose fireball would cause the building behind him to explode nicely.
Lord Null took full advantage of the confusion and panic. A quick flare to unbind his hands, a quick flare to unbind his neck, and he began to walk off of the gallows stage. The Spearman decided to challenge him. His mistake was stepping too close. Lord Null reached out his hand, gripped his face. Within moments he was dead. Lord Null was beginning to feel refreshed.
The crowd was scrambling to get away from the fire, the guards were trying their best to control both the crowd and the fire. If either went out of control, the town would be nothing but ash by dawn. Lord Null walked unchallenged towards the back gate, simply stepping left or right to dodge a panicking citizen as needed. Things were going well until he saw the gate being closed. He did not have the energy left to destoy the gate and fight the guards. He began to turn around to find a new exit, when he hit by what seemed to be a citizen. The pain was too intense for him to be sure, though.
Lynch saw the confusion, noted that the guards seemed too concerned with either the burning building, controlling the crowd, or both. She pulled up her legs, slipped her throwing knife out of her boot, and made quick work of her bindings. She hit the ground running and made a bee-line for the main gate, hoping to loose herself in the crowd. She was fast enough that she wouldn't be trampled.
Today was not going to be her day, it seemed. The front gates were already under control of guards. Citizens were being forced back; former prisoners were being killed on sight.
She had just been sighted. Time for plan B; she turned around and ran. The back gate might still be open. She should be able to make it just a few minutes. The crowds were thinner here, the guards few, except for those closing the gate. She heard a whistle, then a thock. A crossbow bolt. She turned to look, and there was a guard reloading, then she ran into something. Then the screams told her it was a someone.
She picked herself up, and saw a human shape curled in a ball, screaming as though he were being eviserated. She didn't have time for this, the guards were closing in, and she knew it was only a few more second before another crossbow bolt was shot.
Lord Null no longer had a choice. He was prone, and his screams surely clued in the guards. He forced his eyes open, to see a very worried looking woman looking behind her. Lord Null created a barrier blocking off that direction. The electric crackled informed him that it wasn't a moment too soon.
Lynch stared, sure she was dead. She could hardly believe her luck when the bolt vaporized in mid air. No time to revel, though, there were two more at the gate. She pulled her knives out, and threw, catching each one in the forehead. It was time to make a break for it, but that bolt hadn't vaporized by itself.
"Come on," she called to the black robed figure.
"I need help," was Lord Null's reply.
He could barely stand and would slow her down, but he had stopped that bolt. It wouldn't hurt to partner up with him for a short while. She helped him up, and ran out the gate, nabbing her thrown knifes on the way.
Lord Null accepted the help. After all, so long as he survived was all that mattered to him. Lord Null kept an eye ahead, while Lynch kept an eye behind. Their luck held as they made their way out of the walls of the city. They took the woods quickly, as the road was sure to crawling with guards as soon as the fire was under control. At least until then, they could rest.
Myrydyan II: Burglary
Lord Null listend more intently to the passing guards. He recognized the men they were guarding and was hoping he would hear where he was to be staying; it would make his goal that much easier.
Lord Null heard Lynch stir from sleep behind him. She sidled up next to him, then spoke in a hushed tone. "Anyone important pass?"
Lord Null motioned to the guards he was watching. "It seems the kingdom has summoned Rafe."
Lynch almost leapt up from her hiding spot. "Yalla must like me today!"
"What use do you have for him?"
"You know those boomsticks some o' the guards carry? He's the guy who made 'em. I'm gonna get my hands on the plans and sell 'em to the enemy. Why, what's your beef?"
"He has a map to a location of significant importance."
Lynch grinned. "Looks like we're allies for a little longer." Lynched stayed silent and listened as the guards moved toward the city. As soon as they were out of earshot, she spoke again. "Did they say where he was staying?"
"No; I suppose I will need to hunt him down."
"Feh, you can run 'round the city if you want. But think 'bout this. He tinkers 'n stuff, so he'll need a workshop. He'll also need a place that's secure. In all the city, what has both?" Lynch's grin grew more. "I've always wanted to bust into a keep."
* * *
Lynch crouched on the rooftop, looking at the street below her. She could see the keep's back gate clearly in the moonlight and torches. As she watched, Lord Null approached the guards. As expected, they leveled their weapons, perfectly distracted. Lynched shimmied down from the roof and sprinted toward the wall. The wall was poorly maintained, cracked and vined. Just out of sight of the distracted guards, she climbed up the wall and went over. She kept to the shadows as she crept over toward the back gate.
It was almost too easy. She picked the lock, and swung the gate open, only to see Lord Null standing over two corpses. He stepped over them, and moved into the shadows where Lynch was. Lynch pointed out where the smith's shop was, near the main entrance. Several guards stood nearby, far too many for stealth to be possible. Furthermore, light could be seen coming from the shop; somebody was still working there. Lynch and Lord Null watched, each trying to think of a plan to get in the shop.
As they watched, a woman exited the keep. She wore a civilian's robe, as though she were ready for bed, but wanted to check on something. She moved toward the guards, spoke with them briefly, then moved disappeared into the shop. Lord Null leaned over to Lynch. "Be prepared to enter the smithy, I have found us a new distraction."
* * *
Rafe was hunched over his work-bench, adjusting a spring's tension for what seemed like the 100'th time, when he heard the door open behind him. "I told you, captain, I do not want distractions."
Rafe felt the gentle massage on his shoulders, then a smooth voice. "Are you sure?"
"Well, Tira, maybe by you." Rafe turned around and kissed his wife. "I'll be done soon, okay?"
"You've been working late the past two weeks. You're going to burn yourself out," Tira pouted. "Why don't you come to bed?" Tira rubbed the stubble on Rafe's cheek, smiling at the rasping sound it made.
Rafe smirked. "Let me clean this stuff up, and I'll be there in two clicks of a clock."
Tira got up and moved toward the door. "I'll be waiting," she said as she winked.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Rafe started tightening the spring again. It would only take him a moment, then a few more moments to put the tools away, then he would spend the rest of the night with his wife. His mind was filled with thoughts of what lay ahead.
An explosion rang out behind him. Rafe dropped his tool; the spring flew out of place. He heard a woman screaming, and fire crackling. He burst out the door, only to see the guards trying desperately to put something - no - someone out.
* * *
"Go now!" Lynch did not have time to be horrified before Lord Null snapped at her. Even as she sprinted through the shadows past the distracted guards, she tried to wrap her mind around what happened. Lord Null had waited until the woman had left the smith's shop, then set her on fire. Lynch felt sick, but she focussed on the task before her. Enter the smithy, find the plans, and get out.
Even as she approached the smithy, she saw a man leave. She could only assume it was Rafe. His movements and shouting revealed a man in panic. He was too busy with the scene before him to notice Lynch enter the shop behind. Lynch forced the chaos from her mind, and looked around. An alchemist's set, mechanic's tools, nothing but items of labor. She began searching the drawers, trying to ignore the weeping outside. Finally, a book. She glanced through it, and saw plans, maps, and pages of text. This was what she wanted, and hoped it had Lord Null's information as well. If not, she hoped there was another way to get it.
Lynch listened for a moment at the door. The moans, cries, and shouts moved off. Again, Lynch went through the window. The guards were greatly diminished, she could easily move back to where Lord Null waited at the gate. Once she and Lord Null had left through the back gate, Lynch leaned against the wall and vomited.
* * *
Rafe could do nothing but watch as Tira burned alive. The guards did their best, but with only their tabards to beat out the flames, it was too late. A stretcher had been summoned to bring Tira to the healing ward, and even though Rafe could hear her breathing, it was a shallow ragged breath. After only a few minutes with her, the Master Apothecary met Rafe outside the healing ward.
"There's nothing I can do. She's burned too badly. I've given her some sleep elixirs for now, but I don't think she'll last the night"
Rafe bit his thumb. "May I see her?"
Tira did not stir as Rafe entered. The Master Apothecary motioned for the healers to leave, and he closed the door behind him. Rafe approached the bed, but he hardly look at his wife. He wasn't even sure if she was aware of him. He had no intention of saying good-bye however.
Rafe quickly unlocked a cabinet and removed a metallic spheroid from within. From the base of it extended a cord with a long needle at the end. Rafe place it next to Tira's head. He then took a vial from his belt and cracked the glass on the sphere, allowing some of the liquid inside to drip onto it. It crackled and sparked as it dripped. Rafe set up a stand, so that it would remain that way. Rafe then turned Tira's head so she was facing away from the set-up. Rafe held the syringe in one hand, and looked at Tira. "I'm sorry." Rafe placed the syringe at the back of her skull, and thrust up into her brain.
The spheroid crackled all over with electric arcs and white hot sparks. Tira's body jerked weakly at first, then after a few moments, slowed, until even her breathing stopped. Rafe pulled the syringe out, and tucked the spheroid in a bag. He breathed in deeply, gagged as the smell hit is nose. His eyes watered. Rafe opened the door, turned to the Master Apothecary. "She's dead." Rafe did not look back as he went to his shop. He was determined to save his wife in the only way he knew how.
Myrydyan I: Execution
The door to the cell opened, revealing his quarters. He didn't bother taking note of his surroundings. His greatest concern was the guards. Two of them; neither showing any willingness to enter the room. One armed with a spear, the other a crossbow. He could easily kill them both, but doubtless others were waiting behind them. He would never be able to outrun all of them.
"Up." The spearman tried too hard to hide his voice's tremble. The prisoner rose, adjusted his soiled robes, and moved to the door. The guards remained always out of arm's reach, their weapons ready.
* * *
"Move, wench!" Lynch stumbled as she was pushed forward. She grimaced, but refrained from glancing backwards. Any show of defiance would only make things worse. She trudged up the steps, planning her escape as the guards snickered. She wouldn't be able to win in a fight, these guards were too well trained and out numbered her. Seduction was also no longer an option; her reputation as a black widow was too well known. Normally she could out-run even the elite soldiers, but the ropes on her ankles made even walking difficult. The gallows were close now. She needed to think of something.
* * *
The crowd was the largest in months, possibly even years. The director had two big names on the docket today. Lynch, thief extraordinaire, a virtual man eater; and Lord Null, a powerful magic user, and a literal man eater. Many had died trying to capture both of them.
Lynch was a slippery as a cat; each time they had a report that matched her pattern, she was gone by the time the soldiers got there. The one other time she had been caught, they found the guard without pants and chained to the bed. It was only a stroke of luck this time. She had twisted her ankle running from a noble she had robbed.
Lord Null had finally been caught outside of the outpost of the city, collapsed beneath a tree. The soldiers reported that he screamed louder then any other prisoner had as they shackled and dragged him to the jail house. This they didn't question too much, as what wasn't covered in robes was covered in bloody bandages. All made sure not to touch him.
The noose was being tightened around her neck, and Lynch still had not come up with an escape plan. What she really needed was a diversion. Then she heard explosions and screams. 'That will do nicely,' she thought.
Lord Null managed to make it to the gallows without collapsing from exhaustion. He watched as the director played to the crowd, waiting for the moment of most impact. The noose tightened, the director's speech was nearing it's climax, and Lord Null sensed the energy from the crowd. The moment was perfect. A small, loose fireball would cause the building behind him to explode nicely.
Lord Null took full advantage of the confusion and panic. A quick flare to unbind his hands, a quick flare to unbind his neck, and he began to walk off of the gallows stage. The Spearman decided to challenge him. His mistake was stepping too close. Lord Null reached out his hand, gripped his face. Within moments he was dead. Lord Null was beginning to feel refreshed.
The crowd was scrambling to get away from the fire, the guards were trying their best to control both the crowd and the fire. If either went out of control, the town would be nothing but ash by dawn. Lord Null walked unchallenged towards the back gate, simply stepping left or right to dodge a panicking citizen as needed. Things were going well until he saw the gate being closed. He did not have the energy left to destoy the gate and fight the guards. He began to turn around to find a new exit, when he hit by what seemed to be a citizen. The pain was too intense for him to be sure, though.
Lynch saw the confusion, noted that the guards seemed too concerned with either the burning building, controlling the crowd, or both. She pulled up her legs, slipped her throwing knife out of her boot, and made quick work of her bindings. She hit the ground running and made a bee-line for the main gate, hoping to loose herself in the crowd. She was fast enough that she wouldn't be trampled.
Today was not going to be her day, it seemed. The front gates were already under control of guards. Citizens were being forced back; former prisoners were being killed on sight.
She had just been sighted. Time for plan B; she turned around and ran. The back gate might still be open. She should be able to make it just a few minutes. The crowds were thinner here, the guards few, except for those closing the gate. She heard a whistle, then a thock. A crossbow bolt. She turned to look, and there was a guard reloading, then she ran into something. Then the screams told her it was a someone.
She picked herself up, and saw a human shape curled in a ball, screaming as though he were being eviserated. She didn't have time for this, the guards were closing in, and she knew it was only a few more second before another crossbow bolt was shot.
Lord Null no longer had a choice. He was prone, and his screams surely clued in the guards. He forced his eyes open, to see a very worried looking woman looking behind her. Lord Null created a barrier blocking off that direction. The electric crackled informed him that it wasn't a moment too soon.
Lynch stared, sure she was dead. She could hardly believe her luck when the bolt vaporized in mid air. No time to revel, though, there were two more at the gate. She pulled her knives out, and threw, catching each one in the forehead. It was time to make a break for it, but that bolt hadn't vaporized by itself.
"Come on," she called to the black robed figure.
"I need help," was Lord Null's reply.
He could barely stand and would slow her down, but he had stopped that bolt. It wouldn't hurt to partner up with him for a short while. She helped him up, and ran out the gate, nabbing her thrown knifes on the way.
Lord Null accepted the help. After all, so long as he survived was all that mattered to him. Lord Null kept an eye ahead, while Lynch kept an eye behind. Their luck held as they made their way out of the walls of the city. They took the woods quickly, as the road was sure to crawling with guards as soon as the fire was under control. At least until then, they could rest.
Myrydyan II: Burglary
Lord Null listend more intently to the passing guards. He recognized the men they were guarding and was hoping he would hear where he was to be staying; it would make his goal that much easier.
Lord Null heard Lynch stir from sleep behind him. She sidled up next to him, then spoke in a hushed tone. "Anyone important pass?"
Lord Null motioned to the guards he was watching. "It seems the kingdom has summoned Rafe."
Lynch almost leapt up from her hiding spot. "Yalla must like me today!"
"What use do you have for him?"
"You know those boomsticks some o' the guards carry? He's the guy who made 'em. I'm gonna get my hands on the plans and sell 'em to the enemy. Why, what's your beef?"
"He has a map to a location of significant importance."
Lynch grinned. "Looks like we're allies for a little longer." Lynched stayed silent and listened as the guards moved toward the city. As soon as they were out of earshot, she spoke again. "Did they say where he was staying?"
"No; I suppose I will need to hunt him down."
"Feh, you can run 'round the city if you want. But think 'bout this. He tinkers 'n stuff, so he'll need a workshop. He'll also need a place that's secure. In all the city, what has both?" Lynch's grin grew more. "I've always wanted to bust into a keep."
* * *
Lynch crouched on the rooftop, looking at the street below her. She could see the keep's back gate clearly in the moonlight and torches. As she watched, Lord Null approached the guards. As expected, they leveled their weapons, perfectly distracted. Lynched shimmied down from the roof and sprinted toward the wall. The wall was poorly maintained, cracked and vined. Just out of sight of the distracted guards, she climbed up the wall and went over. She kept to the shadows as she crept over toward the back gate.
It was almost too easy. She picked the lock, and swung the gate open, only to see Lord Null standing over two corpses. He stepped over them, and moved into the shadows where Lynch was. Lynch pointed out where the smith's shop was, near the main entrance. Several guards stood nearby, far too many for stealth to be possible. Furthermore, light could be seen coming from the shop; somebody was still working there. Lynch and Lord Null watched, each trying to think of a plan to get in the shop.
As they watched, a woman exited the keep. She wore a civilian's robe, as though she were ready for bed, but wanted to check on something. She moved toward the guards, spoke with them briefly, then moved disappeared into the shop. Lord Null leaned over to Lynch. "Be prepared to enter the smithy, I have found us a new distraction."
* * *
Rafe was hunched over his work-bench, adjusting a spring's tension for what seemed like the 100'th time, when he heard the door open behind him. "I told you, captain, I do not want distractions."
Rafe felt the gentle massage on his shoulders, then a smooth voice. "Are you sure?"
"Well, Tira, maybe by you." Rafe turned around and kissed his wife. "I'll be done soon, okay?"
"You've been working late the past two weeks. You're going to burn yourself out," Tira pouted. "Why don't you come to bed?" Tira rubbed the stubble on Rafe's cheek, smiling at the rasping sound it made.
Rafe smirked. "Let me clean this stuff up, and I'll be there in two clicks of a clock."
Tira got up and moved toward the door. "I'll be waiting," she said as she winked.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Rafe started tightening the spring again. It would only take him a moment, then a few more moments to put the tools away, then he would spend the rest of the night with his wife. His mind was filled with thoughts of what lay ahead.
An explosion rang out behind him. Rafe dropped his tool; the spring flew out of place. He heard a woman screaming, and fire crackling. He burst out the door, only to see the guards trying desperately to put something - no - someone out.
* * *
"Go now!" Lynch did not have time to be horrified before Lord Null snapped at her. Even as she sprinted through the shadows past the distracted guards, she tried to wrap her mind around what happened. Lord Null had waited until the woman had left the smith's shop, then set her on fire. Lynch felt sick, but she focussed on the task before her. Enter the smithy, find the plans, and get out.
Even as she approached the smithy, she saw a man leave. She could only assume it was Rafe. His movements and shouting revealed a man in panic. He was too busy with the scene before him to notice Lynch enter the shop behind. Lynch forced the chaos from her mind, and looked around. An alchemist's set, mechanic's tools, nothing but items of labor. She began searching the drawers, trying to ignore the weeping outside. Finally, a book. She glanced through it, and saw plans, maps, and pages of text. This was what she wanted, and hoped it had Lord Null's information as well. If not, she hoped there was another way to get it.
Lynch listened for a moment at the door. The moans, cries, and shouts moved off. Again, Lynch went through the window. The guards were greatly diminished, she could easily move back to where Lord Null waited at the gate. Once she and Lord Null had left through the back gate, Lynch leaned against the wall and vomited.
* * *
Rafe could do nothing but watch as Tira burned alive. The guards did their best, but with only their tabards to beat out the flames, it was too late. A stretcher had been summoned to bring Tira to the healing ward, and even though Rafe could hear her breathing, it was a shallow ragged breath. After only a few minutes with her, the Master Apothecary met Rafe outside the healing ward.
"There's nothing I can do. She's burned too badly. I've given her some sleep elixirs for now, but I don't think she'll last the night"
Rafe bit his thumb. "May I see her?"
Tira did not stir as Rafe entered. The Master Apothecary motioned for the healers to leave, and he closed the door behind him. Rafe approached the bed, but he hardly look at his wife. He wasn't even sure if she was aware of him. He had no intention of saying good-bye however.
Rafe quickly unlocked a cabinet and removed a metallic spheroid from within. From the base of it extended a cord with a long needle at the end. Rafe place it next to Tira's head. He then took a vial from his belt and cracked the glass on the sphere, allowing some of the liquid inside to drip onto it. It crackled and sparked as it dripped. Rafe set up a stand, so that it would remain that way. Rafe then turned Tira's head so she was facing away from the set-up. Rafe held the syringe in one hand, and looked at Tira. "I'm sorry." Rafe placed the syringe at the back of her skull, and thrust up into her brain.
The spheroid crackled all over with electric arcs and white hot sparks. Tira's body jerked weakly at first, then after a few moments, slowed, until even her breathing stopped. Rafe pulled the syringe out, and tucked the spheroid in a bag. He breathed in deeply, gagged as the smell hit is nose. His eyes watered. Rafe opened the door, turned to the Master Apothecary. "She's dead." Rafe did not look back as he went to his shop. He was determined to save his wife in the only way he knew how.