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Post by The Sovereign on Sept 10, 2006 21:24:17 GMT
While the backstreets may not be somewhere you'd want to visit on your own in the dead of night, they are home to many unusual shops that would probably not be found in the main areas of the City. Beware though, these streets are also home to the people who you may not find in the main areas of the City...
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Post by Scarlet Aldsilver on Sept 19, 2006 18:59:20 GMT
After dropping Ember off to the stables, and leaving Meral to hunt over in Faydell forest, Scarlet hurried back to the inn. She had dried off from her trip to Swyncrest moderately well on the ride home, her hair was dry, but her dress was still slightly damp. In her longing to have a wash and a dry change of clothes she had decided to take a short cut down the backstreets, which had been a good idea, until she got lost.
The back streets were dark and dirty, the shops old and crumbling. Beggars, tramps and other shifty looking characters hurried past, almost all of them glancing up to look at Scarlet. She obviously stuck out like a sore thumb in this part of town. She had cut away from the main backstreet, (the busiest one with the most shops) and made her way down a smaller sidestreet. A rat ran in front of her, making her jump. She wasn't usually afraid of rats, but she was on edge and this one was particularly large; It ran out of sight behind a pile of rubbish. Scarlet turned the corner, only to be faced with another sidestreet, almost identical in its filth and sense of foreboding. Except for one thing- two men, dressed in dark clothes leaning on opposite walls close-by. One was large and the other was skinny, both equally revolting. The smallest was rolling a long dagger between his thumb and forefinger.
Scarlet's eyes widened, as she silently backtracked. But it was too late; one of the men had already seen her.
"Look what we 'ave 'ere then.." he drawled, looking Scarlet up and down with a crooked smile. He advanced towards her and before Scarlet could turn to run, he had gripped one of her arms and pinned it behind her back, pushing her face-on into the wall. Meral! Scarlet screamed mentally, in her panic she couldn't find the words, so sent him a mental image of where she was. She knew it was no use though he was too far away.
The skinny man gave her arm to his crony to hold. He spun her to face him and leant close to her to speak "Well, well well, whats a pretty little elf like you doing wandering down here at night?" He took a strand of her hair and wound it around her finger.
"I'm meeting a friend," Scarlet lied, "He'll be here any minute." she struggled, trying to break free. The skinny man laughed and gripped her waist with strong fingers. "Well I don't see ‘im, perhaps we can keep you company until he arrives eh?" he sneered and moved to slide his hand up from her waist, he'd hardly reached her chest when she acted. Pushing all her weight back onto the man that was holding her, she kicked forwards sending the man infront of her sprawling. Just for a split-second, the larger man lessened his grip on her. She managed to slip out of his vice-like arms. The skinny man was on his feet again apparently not even winded. She kicked out at the large man behind her, and hit him right in the fork of the legs, causing him to sink to the ground with a agonized cry.
She turned to run but let out an involuntary yelp as her entire body was yanked backwards. The skinny man was dragging her back by her hair. Hoping to surprise him she spun around and deftly elbowed him in the ribs. This only angered him, and, still with a tight grip on her hair that he had wound around his wrist, he spun her around flinging her to the ground. She landed breathless on the floor, her skirts torn and bunched up around her thighs. As she lay dazed on the ground, with the man advancing, she did the only thing she could. She screamed.
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Sept 20, 2006 4:39:21 GMT
Matthew was sulking around the alleyway behind the Inn. He had been trying to practise some sword fighting skills before he met the Sovreign. Then all of a sudden he was filled with exhaustion. He sunk to his knees and felt like crying. He had just realized that he had let his own sister leave and had done nothing to stop her. He felt so terrible, it made him nausous.
Then in another alleyway, not to far away, Matt heard Scarlet's scream. His energy returned to him. Someone's in danger. Quickly, he ran towardsthe alleyway that Scarlet was. He saw the man advancing on her and unsheathed his sword and ran in front of her. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me," He saw suprise in the mans face, but only for a second. Then he lunged forwards to Matt with his dagger. With great accuracy, Matt leapted to the side and hit the dagger out of the skinny man's hand, with the flat side of his sword. Then he kicked out at his and he fell to the ground. Matt put his foot on hiss chest and his sword to his neck. "Don't make me kill you," He said menicingly.
Then he felt a hand around his neck. The large man had stood back up and gabbed Matt.. He pulled Matt back of the skinny man and he dropped his sword.The man pulled him back against the alley wall, mean while the skinny man took the sword and then held it to Matt's throat. "I won't," The skinny man whispered and Matt hoped that the elf had regained some strength, because nothing else could get him out of this situation.
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Post by Scarlet Aldsilver on Sept 20, 2006 17:35:46 GMT
Scarlet was aware of someone else standing close to her Oh god! not another one! she thought, panicking. At the back of her mind- she was aware of Meral racing towards Arinesse, but only just- as she was hardly conscious.
When the newcomer started fighting with the skinny man, she realized he had come to save her not harm her. The thought of escpae gave her a second wind and wincing, she pulled herself upright and staggered forwards trying to keep her balance. A dagger slid past her, narrowly missing her leg. She bent down and picked it up, roughly brushing her hair away from her face and covering her hand in blood. She was cut badly on her head from where she was thrown against the wall, and it had dyed the front of her hair crimson. She turned back to focus on the fight; her rescuer had been doing fine- until the large man had grabbed him. Without thinking, she launched herself onto the skinny man's back, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him backwards with all her weight, wrenching him away from Matt and causing him to drop the sword. She fell backwards onto the ground with a thump, the skinny man fell on-top of her, and Scarlet felt all the air being knocked out of her. She reached for the dagger but the skinny man was too quick. He rolled over and pinned her arms down above her head, sitting on her torso. Scarlet threw a panicked glance towards Matt, who the large man seemed to be advancing towards.
The skinny man leaned close to her head and snapped his teeth. When Scarlet flinched, his face twisted intoa grin. He leant closer, "Seems I'm gunna have to hurt ya missy, now don't it" he said, feigning regret. Scarlet pushed up from the ground, and head-butted him with with as much force as she could muster. Caught off guard, he let out a howl of pain and his eyes rolled in their sunken sockets. He reeled backwards and fell to the side, a glazed look in his eyes. Scarlet lay on the ground, her chest rising up and down quickly. Her head swum, the sky span above her. Suddenly a bright light filled her vision- and she fainted.
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Sept 21, 2006 4:43:35 GMT
Matthew was greatful that Scarlet had regained her strength. He saw the large man advancing on him and Matt's sword was on the ground behind him. As the large man sprung, Matt dove for the sword and doged the man. He, clearly not being the smarter of the pair, hit his head on the wall of the alleyway and lay there, in a dazed heap. Matt turned around to see the elf onthe ground, fainted like the attackers. He knew that it wouldn't be safe when they woke up, so he picked up his sword and sheathed it. Then picked up Scarlet and headed down the alleyway, onto an open street, where there were plenty of people around.
He put her down, with her back against the wall of a building. He saw a puddle of water and cupped some in his hands, and threw it up at her face, hoping the cold water would wake her. Then he started talking to her, hoping it would help her wake. "Are you okay Miss? Can you hear me?" He didn't know what else to do.
Then he saw the gash on her head. He tore a strip of cloth from his new tunic and began mopping up the blood on her head.
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Post by Drakan Thrice on Sept 21, 2006 11:23:01 GMT
Drakan was taking a detour through the alleyways to avoid the elderly woman who seemed to have taken a dislike to him. In the distance he saw Scarlets crumpled figure. He would have recognised her anywhere. As he narrowed his eyes he watched as a mans figure, lifted her from the ground and carried her away.
Drakan could feel his blood boil. He clenched his fists and sprinted after the man who stopped at the very edge of the backstreets and placed Scarlet against a building. The man stood up and Drakan saw his chance. Fury seemed to come from nowhere and Drakan raced towards him, spinning him round and sending his fist flying straight towards the guys nose.
"What did you do to her!" he half shouted, half screamed. Turning round he asked Scarlet if she was alright.
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Post by Scarlet Aldsilver on Sept 23, 2006 20:29:52 GMT
(OOC: Oh and Drakan you might wanna change your post so it leaves your punching matt as open. Otherwise It'd be powerplaying and we all know that you're a good boy who plays by the rules ) Scarlet could feel the odd sensation of being carried, her eyes fluttered open, and she was grateful to see she had been moved away from the backstreets. her hands held onto the arms that carried her tightly, suddenly she felt dizzy and her head dropped again. The next thing she heard was a voice asking if she was alright. Her face felt damp, and she could feel someone dabbing her head. She opened her eyes and tried to focus on the man leaning over her. Unable to speak, she gave him a grateful smile. All of a sudden, he disappeared and Scarlet heard a yell. What's going on? She thought, the familiar dizzy feeling returning to her. Then she caught sight of Drakan leaning over her. "Drakan? What...?" she managed to whisper quietly, but it was too much- the yelling, the confusion. She closed her eyes again. She was conscious, but all of her senses were clouded, and her head hurt hurt so much- it took all of her concentration to keep herself from fainting due to the pain.
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Sept 23, 2006 21:09:24 GMT
Matt saw Scarlet smile and pride swelled in his heart. Then, out of no where, a fist hit him in the face. At first he thought it was one of those men from the alley. Then when he came out of his little shock and saw that the amn must have been the Elf's friend.
He wasn't sure wether to react in anger or kindness. He stood up and said, "Excuse me," in an accusing voice. Then he found himslef thinking if that had been the right thing to do. What would Liz do? He thought, waiting for the man's reply.
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Post by Drakan Thrice on Sept 23, 2006 21:15:14 GMT
"Excuse you? EXCUSE YOU!?!" Drakan bellowed. Causing several of the villagers to look his way. "You have just ATTACKED my friend and all you can say is EXCUSE ME!?" Drakan raised his fist ready to strike again, much harder this time. His whole force went into the punch and he knew if it made contact it would at least give somone a nose bleed.
His face was crimson. His entire body was tense and on edge and he had stood up straight and towered over the man. How dare he hit her? How dare he?
"Leave.Her.Alone" he hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't touch her again"
Turning back round again Drakan attempted to pick Scarlet up. He was going to take her to the fountain in the city square.
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Post by Scarlet Aldsilver on Sept 23, 2006 21:20:47 GMT
Scarlet felt herself be pulled to her feet. She looked at Matt and suddenly she realised what had happened.
"What have you done Drakan?" she cried, pulling herself away from him. "Are you alright? she asked, making he way over to Matt. She couldn't beleive what Drakan had just done. Suddenly she felt very much awake.
"You idiot!" she cried, temper flaring. "You- absolute - idiot!-" With each pause she pounded Drakan's chest with her fists, there was no force behind it- but there would have been if she had had the strength. She fell forwards, grabbing onto Drakan's shirt to keep herself upright. She was crying, though she wasn't quite sure why.
"I'm so sorry." she said, pushing her way past both of them but only talking to Matt. She needed to get to the inn, or Meral. She wouldn't make it very far in this state though.
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Post by Drakan Thrice on Sept 23, 2006 21:28:20 GMT
"Scarlet?" Drakans voice was squeaky. His anger had faded when he saw how upset Scalet was, but he still didnt know what was going on. He followed after her, and placing a hand on her shoulder, said "Scarlet, please. You arent well. Tell me whats going on. Please?" He held a look of confusion and worry on his face. Scarlet was his best friend and it was his duty to protect her...wasnt it?
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Sept 23, 2006 22:00:44 GMT
Matt ducked from Draken's blow. I'm glad that didn't hit me, he thought. Then he saw how upset the Elf was. He followed her, realising that this angry man was her friend. He saw that she was weak and asked polietly, as not to anger anyone. "Please sir, we should take her back to the Inn. She's not well," Then he felt a pain on his back, from where the large man had grabbed his neck. "I'm not very well either," Then he remembered the Elf's friend. The Stable Master.
"I didn't hurt her," He tried to explain. "There were men, in the alley," he clenched his teeth in pain. Then he looked to Scarlet, "Are you ok Miss?"
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Post by Drakan Thrice on Sept 23, 2006 22:08:10 GMT
Drakan realised his mistakes and he felt awful. "I'm sorry..." he stuttered, tears pricking in his eyes. He felt like Scarlet hated him. He wouldnt have blamed her. He hated himself.
"I..I need to go" He felt awkward and it seemed that this boy was of much more help than him. At least Scarlet seemed to like him.
He could still feel the places on his chest where Scarlet had hit him. It hadnt hurt physically. Just his heart.
He held back tears as best he could and headed back home.
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Post by Scarlet Aldsilver on Sept 24, 2006 13:48:45 GMT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happened next seemed to be somewhat of a blur to Scarlet, she could see Matt and Drakan talking, but she couldn't hear them properly, everything seemed out of sync and the whole street seemed to be tilted on the side.
She didn't trust herself to speak so kept silent; she watched Drakan leave but it took a good 10 seconds before her brain registered it. She turned to Matt and mumbled soemthing about the inn, pointing in the direction she thought it was. Scarlet was aware of a strong pressure in the back of her mind- not from the blow but from something else. She tried to keep it at bay by concentrating hard at the path infront of her, then realisation swept through her when she heard another voice in the back of her mind.
Scarlet!? Scarlet, where are you- are you alright? It was Meral, and she'd never heard him so frightened. I'm alive she replied numbly. Why were you blocking me out? Have you any idea how worried I was about you? You just screamed my name and then nothing! What on earth was I expected to think? When Scarlet didn't reply, he continued in a quieter voice. I'm coming to see you, where are you? Towards the..the inn...someone's helping me there.
Again Scarlet withdrew contact, her head was aching too much. She walked down the street, leaning on Matt and allowing him to lead her.
(OOC: I'm gunna continue this at the inn, so you can post there if you want to. I'll leave it open.)
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Nov 18, 2006 3:14:35 GMT
Matt carried his new friend to the backstreets behind the Inn. He wasn't sure if he was allowed in with a dragon. The little creature jumped out of his arms and landed on the cobblestones front of him. The small dragon's silver scales shined in the moonlight and Matt was mesmerized.
"Well," he began. "Can you understand me?" He asked, thinking it wasn't true. The sliver beast nodded it's little head, so Matt asked another question. "Are you a boy or a girl?" Then he heard the strangest thing in his head. Boy, Matt heard a deep male voice in his head. It was cheery, but still a tad solemn. He looked down at his new friend and stared.
"A boy?" The dragon nodded. "Then we'll need to find you a name, or I'll be stuck just saying dragon all the time," The dragon seemed to chuckle at his joke, sending a shoot of sparks onto the backstreet. Matt stared, then remembering that dragon's could breath fire. The small creature recovered and he looked up at Matt with dreamy eyes.
Then Matt remembered the blacksmith's shop. He'd gone in there asking for a sword at night and remembered the way the moonlight had glinted off the metal's, just as it did to the dragon's scales. Then he picked the dragon up, feeling a great kinship to him.
"I'll name you Steel!" Matt exclaimed. "Yes Steel, because of the way the moonlight shines off your scales," Steel nodded and Matt felt happiness come from him. Then he decided it was quite late and walked through the back door of the Inn, Steel in his arms.
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