Myrydyan Escalated
Myrydyan IV: Rouse
Lynch felt movement, as though she were being carried. The last thing she remembered was being shot, and a searing pain in her abdomen. She opened her eyes and the night sky turning to morning. She winces as she tried to sit up; she was sore as though she had done too many sit-ups.
"Don't try anything funny," the young man at the head of the stretcher said, "the guards wouldn't have shot you without good reason."
Lynch laid down again. "Where are you talking me?"
"To the apothecary, then to the court house, we've got some questions about what happened."
Lynch thought a bit. "What about that guy who attacked me?"
"You mean that mage? Null's his name? He's been booked in the local prison. Don't worry, he'll be dead at tomorrow's dawn."
Lynch thought about her situation. These were strong men, but despite their rushed attitude, they were not moving very fast. They did not see Lynch as too much trouble considering they hadn't strapped her down. Although she was sore, Lynch had managed to escape under worse conditions. She decided fortune favored the bold.
Lynch rolled off the onto the street. While the orderlies recovered from their surprise and dropped the stretcher, Lynch bounded to her feet and headed toward the nearest alley-way. The sooner she could lose herself amoung the buildings and curves of the city, the better.
She heard the shouts and huffing of the men behind her getting farther away. She ducked into another alley, then another, finally dove through a door and quickly closed it behind her. She was relieved when several seconds later she heard footsteps run by.
Finally, she took inventory. Two throwing knives, a ripped shirt, a coin-purse...but the book she had stolen from Rafe was gone. She thought back to when she last had it, and remembered the inn. Lynch had left the book there, before leaving through the window. It was foolish to hope that Lord Null or Rafe had not picked it up. She could not possibly steal the book from Rafe alone, security would be ten-fold what it was. Yet, she had attacked Lord Null; facing recriminations from him may be worse than from the kingdom. Lynch cursed, then stood up. If she was going to die by Lord Null's hand, she would at least be wearing a new shirt.
* * *
Rafe returned to his work shop tired and drained, but the sight of his unfinished task pressed him onward. He had to finish it now, or he everything he had done so far would be meaningless. The only task left was to secure the spheroid and helm in place.
Rafe delicately placed the spheroid within the helm, placing suspension gels and cables carefully, stringing wires from optical components and auditory sensors using the utmost precision. Each piece a marvel of his genius and determination.
The moment of truth came as Rafe lowered the helm into place on the neck of a metal body. A forceful thrust downward, and it locked into place. A scream of pain echoed through his workshop, sending Rafe staggering back.
Rafe's creation leaned forward, the shop silent save the only Rafe's breath. Slowly a metal hand was raised before before examining metal eyes. The hand turned slowly, precisely.
The eyes turned toward Rafe and in a lilting false voice asked, "I'm not dead?"
Rafe let his breath go in a sigh of relief. "No, but you have been brought back as Engel."
* * *
Lynch awoke at the hoot of an owl. Her eyes did not need to adjust as she had been sleeping most of the day. She stretched her muscles, and ignored her stink. She could not risk staying in an Inn again, but she had managed to find an abandoned warehouse she could curl up in. However, at night the patrols were easier to avoid. After a quick stop at a tavern for a hard-roll and water, she moved on toward the prison.
Lynch did not know which cell or section of the prison Lord Null was being held in, but she did have an idea how to find out. Lynch let some tears well up in her eyes, pushed back her shoulders, and marched in. The guard at the desk perked up when she entered. "Visiting hour 'er closed, miss. Go home."
Lynch inwardly smiled that she had not been recognized. "I want to see the one called 'Null.'" Lynch let her lip quiver a bit. If this played out right, the guard would see a scared woman putting on a brave front.
"Look, he's locked up, ya don't have ta worry."
"My husband was part of the assault at the inn," Lynch leaned toward the guard, "I want to make sure he's paying his dues."
The guard looked around him. "All right, but just for a minute."
Lynch was led past the general cell, were all the usual criminals were kept. Their stench easily covered Lynch's; it was no wonder the guard hadn't said anything. At the end of the corridor, the guard opened a heavy re-inforced wooden door, then stood between Lynch and the room.
"Now, don't be gettin' too close, I hear he can-" Lynch shoved the guard back, then ensured he wouldn't keep his balance with a kick to the stomach. She heard chains rustle in the dark, and as she predicted Lord Null's bandaged hands gripped the guard on either side of his head. The guard made a solid thud when he hit the ground. Lynch remained at the door.
"You got the book?' she asked. Her eyes adjusted to the darkened cell, and she could see Lord Null was chained at both legs and arms. He must have been looking at the barrel of an alchemist's wand to allow that to happen. Lord Null reached within his robes and pulled out the book.
"You gonna kill me?"
"If I intended to kill you, I could have done it already." Lord Null's voice was as dispassionate as ever.
"So, I sling a knife at you, and get off scott free."
Lord Null did not answer right away, instead he shuffled a bit. Finally, "If we are to get what we both desire, we must trust each other, until our mutual goals are achieved."
"One more question. How did I survive being shot?"
Again, Lord Null hesitated. "I am uncertain." Lynch began to think something was wrong with him, when she first met him he was decisive and certain, yet now he was withdrawn and avoidant. Despite this, however, she would try to give him the benefit of the doubt; at least as long as it benefited herself.
Lynch looted the keys off the guard, and quickly undid Lord Null's bonds. "We're leaving the city right now, I don't wanna be 'round when they find you gone." Lord Null nodded, and followed Lynch out. With practiced steps, Lynch stole two horses from a nearby stable, and walked the to the back gate. As expected, it was guarded, yet open. A simple stone throw and misdirection later, and both she and Lord Null were able to sneak out. Once past the guards, they didn't bother looking back as they rode into the forest toward the east.
In Other News:
While the Druid class received significant buffs, I still suck at PvP.