After the Kill

[Astimar Glarway]

OCC: Im going to be using Jathis and Astimar at the same time now.

Jathis Dal Vortikas, knight of Solamnia fought for his life as he battled through the woods. He had been to north to see if the stories of armies massing there were true. After seeing such rumors were true he traveled from land to land to warn of the rising evil. Not that too many would listen to the words of a Knight of Solamnia. His travels must have brought some unwanted attention for he had been attacked by scaley dragon like hominoid monsters on several occasions. In fact he faced the same kind of scaley monsters as he made his way to Solace this very moment, though they were now covered from head to toe in cloaks and rags.
While Jathis parried one of the monsters oncoming attacks another thrust its curved blade into his right shoulder. Jathis winced in pain as he stumbled back nearly tripping over bushes and landing hard against a tree that was near a road. Pain shot through his body but he had no time to worry about it now as he moved off of the tree. One of the monsters attacked again jumping at him ready to bring its sword down. Jathis,s left arm that held a green scale hilt sword was now nearly useless as he held it up in an attempt to deflect the attack while backing up readying his right arm that held a beautiful sword of blues greens and golds. As the attacking cloaked monster landed on Jathis, its sword collided with the sword Jathis was holding up. With the other sword Jathis impaled the monster as they both fell out onto the road. They didn’t notice Astimar and Kenaira now poised on the road.
With the monsters last breath it pulled out a dagger and stabbed Jathis in an exposed rib. Pain shot through Jathis as the sharp dagger entered his body. Through the pain Jathis began to push the monster off of him then his arms crashed down sending his elbows slamming into the ground as the monsters body seemed to freeze in place like stone. Jathis found it hard to breath. “No not now, not my breathing.” he said out loud as he began to push again. Jathis was now losing too much blood and do to the exertion of strength he breath was becoming hard to catch. He has had that problem for some time now, from time to time he would have trouble with his breathing. “ I can not die now !” Jathis spoke brokenly out loud.
Astimar recalled the cloak and rags the monster wore for it was the same as the ones he stole from earlier this day. Jathis nearly had the monster off of him when the other monster jumped out of the woods its hood down revealing its hideous face landing on its strangely stiff comrade. The added weight caused the stiff monster and the dagger to fall back down stabbing into the ribs of Jathis. His lunges did not allow him to yell.
Astimar took his throwing dagger that he still had in his hand and aimed for the monster. The dagger only skimmed it causing it to look in Astimar and Kenaira. It pulled out a horn and began to blow as it started to charge in their direction. Astimar bent down to pick up his dagger but didn’t count on the monster being so fast. As it reached him I gave Astimar a back hand and turned to strike at Kenaira. The stiff monster that was on Jathis seemed to have faded away as its cloak and rags remained.

[Kenaira the Outcast]

Kenaira let out a soft hiss of surprise as the Solamnic and the...thing wrapped up in strips of cloth and rags tumbled out from beneath the bushes, apparently fighting to the death. She watched silently, her face expressionless, as the two fought, aparently unaware of hers and Astimar's existence. Should she help the Solamnic? She wondered. True, she would most likely be hated, even by one who bore the title of 'Knight of Solamnia', which also meant he was looked down upon by the other inhabitatants of Ansalon. But then, the creature he was battling most likely wanted her dead too.

She was saved from answering as she saw the sword sticking out of the mysterious creature, but wondered if the Knight would survive this battle, as the thing had just stabbed him with a dagger. She saw the Knight attempting to push the creature's body off; apparently, he still had some strength left, but was curious too see that the creature's body seemed oddly stiff.

Again, she was saved from having to answer by the appereance of a second creature, most likely coming to finish the Knight off. Now would be a good time to run and find a place to hide. She was about to tell Astimar so, when the human threw his dagger at the creature, distracting it. But now, it had a new target: them.

Fool! The bloody fool!

Kenaira groaned inwardly as the creature struck Astimar, causing him to reel, before turning to her. She noticed detatchedly that the creature had one of the most horrifying faces she had ever seen, a strange mixture of reptile and man, with scales, sharp teeth, and slitted eyes.

The creature started to rush at her, and almost without thinking, Kenaira drew her longsword, slashing the creature across its throat, penetrating through the scales. It let out a horrible gurgle, falling to the ground, blood forming rapidly into a pool around it, but not before it had lumbered forward a few more paces, and ripped her hood from her face.

Then, to her amazement, it turned to stone!

But the damage could not be undone. Before Kenaira knew it, she had a look of dismay upon her fine, delicate elven features, only to be replaced by a mask of cold, hard uncaring. She reached for her hood, and pulled it back roughly over her face, casting her features into shadow once more.

"Happy now?" She asked roughly.

[Astimar Glarway]

Astimar stood up holding his head and looked in amazement as the creature Kenaira killed turned to stone. He was horrified that these were the men he stole from earlier, only they weren’t men. Astimars heart began to race thinking that they must be magical to tune to stone like that. Or had Kenaira did it. No she was just as shock as him when the thing turned.
Then Astimar rembered. “It blew a horn before it rushed us Ken. We have to go before more come.” Before Kenaira could reply Astimar was moving towards the knight.
As he reached the knight he was unconscious from the wounds inflicted upon him and the creature that was on top of him had now turned to dust . Astimar pulled out the medallion and contemplated if he should leave it with the knight making it look as if the knight had it all along. If the creatures are some sort of magical beings maybe the medallion was too. Astimar wanted no parts of that. But should he leave the knight to his demise? He might have some information about these creatures.
Astimar quickly made up his mind hiding the medallion inside the knights armor he started to drag the knight to the opposite side of the road into the woods. Once Astimar got some answers about the medallion he would make his decision on what to do with it. The knight was quite heavy even though he wasn’t even fully plated like most other knights nor was he that tall only being five foot seven.
Astimar was amazed that the knight still tightly held his swords in his unconsciousness. The swords were wonderfully beautiful. One with a green scale hilt the other with shifting colors of blues greens and golds.

[Kenaira the Outcast]

"It blew a horn before it rushed us Ken. We have to go before more come."

At any other time, Kenaira would have scowled at and reprimaded Astimar or any other person, for that matter, for calling her Ken, and pointing out the obvious as though she didn't know, but she quickly realized now was not the time. Swallowing her sharp retort, she crouched down, scrubbing her sword free of the monster's strange, greenish blood and sheathed it again. She stood up, about to walk forward, when she noticed that Astimar was crouched at the Knight's side, seeming to be fumbling for something, and then he dragged the Solamnic into the woods.

Kenaira followed warily, her slanted eyes narrowed. Gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, she tapped Astimar lightly on his shoulder. "Is this a wise idea? I believe the Knight is quite heavy, and you know I would not hesitate to leave you should the...things"-Kenaira shuddered-"attack us again."

[Astimar Glarway]

Astimar faced Kenaira as she lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Is this a wise idea? I believe the Knight is quite heavy, and you know I would not hesitate to leave you should the...things attack us again.”

“ Well I planed on dragging him all the way to Solace while being chased Ken.”Astimar said in a sarcastic tone. “Im going to hide him until what ever those things are pass us by. Hopefully he will still be alive by then.” Astimar began to drag him deeper into the woods until he found a vary large hollow tree. The tree was big enough for five people to fit in side more than enough space for the three.
“See look at this if there is any thing im good at its being concealed and making people go the other way.” Astimar began to hide the knight inside the tree. “ Heck! I could throw off an entire army and make off with the gold. As always.” Astimar bragged than realized what he had just said. He looked at Kenaira to see if she had read into what he had just said. At that moment another horn blew. Astimar quickly garbed some near by rocks and dipped into the tree he covered the knights armor as best he could with the knights own cloak.

[Kenaira the Outcast]

"Well I planed on dragging him all the way to Solace while being chased Ken."

Kenaira sighed. Sarcasm. What an interesting thing, and completely useless in a situation such as this. She was about to tell Astimar exactly what she thought of him and his 'oh-so mighty' sarcasm when he spoke again.

"Im going to hide him until what ever those things are pass us by. Hopefully he will still be alive by then."

She watched without comment as her companion dragged the strange knight even deeper into the woods and followed catiously, looking around furtively. She had a feeling that any Knight of Solamnia would not be pleased to have been dragged around by a dark elf and whatever company she keeps. This one shouldn't be an exception. She let out a soft snort, but still followed.

Astimar stopped so abruptly that she almost bumped into him, for the second time that night. Well, maybe not, as it weas he who bumped into her that first time when they met. She examined the hollow, and nodded. A good hiding place, and hard to detect, unless one was looking for a hiding place with the desperation of being hunted down and possibly killed. Which they were, come to think of it. Perhaps it would have just been better to let the Solamnic lie in peace back at the road, about to be killed...Kenaira had no love for the so-called 'Knights of Good'. They were a corrupted bunch, whatever they claimed.

"See look at this if there is any thing im good at its being concealed and making people go the other way. Heck! I could throw off an entire army and make off with the gold. As always."

Bragging now, my young friend? Kenaira smiled grimly to herself, but the second part of his little speech disturbed her. Throw of an entire army and make off with the gold... Apparently this human was a shady character, like herself, but he didn't pry into her business. Kenaira supposed it was only fair not to pry into his.

But an army? Could it be, that he stoole from these strange creatures, and it was he they were after, not the Solamnic, who might just have chanced upon them while they were searching. Perhaps she must pry, after all.

She opened her mouth, just as another horn sounded. Oh great. Reinforcements. As if they didn't have enough trouble already! A dark elf, a thief, and a Solamnic Knight. What an odd group we are. She thought to herself, closing her mouth, which twisted itself into an ironic smile.

[Xander Hughes]

Xander was mounted upon his small, but muscular, gray mare, Lightfoot. The steed trotted at her normal pace, just above a slight trot. After a full night's sleep, the mare was already back to normal.

Xander and Lightfoot had just barely escape the clutches of his old business partners. Xander had once worked with the scheming group of mercenaries. It had been just after dark. The 4 had managed to snag a group of wanted criminals near the Solace area and had just collected the rather large bounty. It was during the night, while his companions slept, that Xander had stolen his share of the money, and a bit extra, and had fleed from camp. The three mercenary men had followed him, chased him through the forests near Solace, and nearly killed him. With a bit of luck Xander had managed to kill one of his former partners and captured the other two, tying them both to a tree and gagging them. They would be picked off by the night animals by now.

But now Xander was even farther from Solace, near yet another forest somewhere. He hummed a merry tune, glad that he and his steed were both still alive. The young man had no idea a human, a Solamnic knight, and a dark elf lurked somewhere nearby. Actually, Xander was only about a hundred feet away from them, but under the cover of a few trees. Xander fingered the hilt of his sword, his father's sword, ready for any trouble. He had grown up in the company of Solamnics, so he knew how to fight when necessary. This seemed like the perfect place for an ambush . . .

[Astimar Glarway]

“Hey Ken I need you to use those pretty little elven eyes of yours...” Astimar spoke merely above a whisper from the back of the tree. “ and tell me before they get to close so I can lead them away with these rocks.” Astimar gently threw one of the rocks up and caught it preparing himself.
The horrible voices of the creatures could be heard calling to one another as they began to walk into the wood. From the sound of it the creatures searched in a wide spread. Astimar wondered how many there were. Foot steps could be heard approaching the tree. Astimar hoped his plan would work with the rocks, if not than it would bring all the creatures down upon them. Now Astimar waited for Kenaira to give him the word.

[Kenaira the Outcast]

Kenaira sighed. This human was becoming more and more irritating, but his plan made sense. Or not. Still, it was the best they had, and they should hopefully hold the creatures off, thanks to the narrow entrance to the hollow.

Unless, of course, they have magic-users with them. In which case, the three should probably start praying to Paladine, Gilean, Takhisis etc., or whatever gods, new or old, they believed in.

Peering out catiously, Kenaira narrowed her dark eyes, trying to pick out the warm aura generated by all living creatures that her elvensight enabled her to see. A sound reached her ears. Damn the hood! But they most likely knew her secret anyway. With apparent reluctance, Kenaira reached up, tugging her hood down gently, revealing her features again, for the second time that night.

Now, the sound was clear. Someone was humming. Turning to the general direction, Kenaira picked out the warm glow of someone on horseback, coming rapidly closer, but definitely not one of those creatures.

Then, she heard something far more sinister: the tramping of clawed feet, and rough, gutteral voices. Frowning, she saw a party of about three to five of those creatures, searching slowly, but steadily, and coming nearer all the time. Ducking back into the tree, she started talking, quickly, but barely above a whisper.

"About three to five of those creatures approaching, they should be here in a few minutes. There's also some idiot on horseback, humming, but also rapidly nearing, should be here at about the same time as those creatures. Don't think he's with them though."

[Xander Hughes]

As Xander steadily grew nearer to Kenaira, Astimar, and the Solamnic, he heard the sound of scraping metal, clawed feet, and guttural voices. Surely these new threats weren't human, definately not elven. Silently, Xander drew his ancient sword, his eyes flickering back and forth, searching for any movement. Lighfoot tensed and whinnied, apparently frightened. The young man and his steed had never before heard such sounds.

With a sudden burst of speed, two scaled figures burst from wherever they had been hiding within the trees, leaping toward Xander. The beasts were like none Xander had ever seen. Lightfoot reared back and kicked frantically in the air, while one of the scaly creatures grabbed the reins from Xander's hand and gave it an expert jerk. Lighfoot kicked once more in the air, bucking Xander from her back.

Xander landed, with an agonized cry, on the ground a few feet behind his mare. Right now the young man was in danger of being trampled. He crawled as fast as possible away from the kicking mare and stood. The pain of a thousand daggers piercing his flesh errupted inside of him, and he grit his teeth and moaned. One of the scaly beasts charged at him, sword gleaming, and attempted to cleave Xander's head from his body. But Xander acted swiftly and brought his sword up in an arch, knocking the beast's sword from his clawed hand. With another stab, Xander lodged his sword in the creature's breast, killing it instantly. One twist and his blade was free. It was a good thing he had decided to remove the blade, for the creature immediately turned to stone soon after it's death.

But the other dragon-like warrior still wasn't dead, and it had given up its struggle with Lightfoot to come full force toward Xander. The young man didn't know if he could take much more, what with the injury of his fall . . .

[Astimar Glarway]

Astimar took in all the information as Kenaira spoke. He was prepared to throw the stones one a little further then the other to give the sound of a running effect when suddenly he heard a horse rear up. Apparently it must have been the rider Kenaira had mentioned. The creatures that were approaching the tree turned in the direction of the sound of the horse. “Yes. The fool got the creatures attention we could make a run for it “ Astimar thought to himself he had nearly forgot about the Knight. They wouldn’t make it to far with him “Then I guess we just have to stay here and wait it out.” he thought once more.
Then there was a cry of agony. At that moment Astimar had a deep feeling in his gut to run out from hiding and help the rider. He debated in his head for what seemed like hours but in true only moments. “Why help this stranger? I have already saved the life of the knight, im no hero what good could come of it?” Astimars head raced, but against his better judgment.
“ I have to go out there Ken.” Astimar hated what he was saying while moving to exit of the tree not expecting Kenaira to follow remembering her words from before. Leaving the tree Astimar made his way to where he heard the cry. He could see the creatures coming up behind yet another the was moving in on the who must have been the rider. The rider must have been able to slay one for a creature lay in stone.
Astimar had a clear shot at the creature that was approaching the rider he didn’t intend to miss this time. He didn’t as he threw his dagger. It struck the creature in the neck causing it to fall to its knees grasping for air. Now only the five that were distracted from the tree remained. Two went after the rider and two went toward Astimar.
Astimar whipped out his sword as the creatures rushed him. One attacked high as the other circled. Astimar ducked the fist attack and quickly spun out of the way of a strike from the second attacker. Astimar brought up his sword catching the first creature in the stomach. The creature turned to stone before Astimar could pull out his sword. The second creature kicked it clawed foot at Astimar cutting his arm and knocking him to the ground. As the creature brought up it sword to attack Astimars hand happened upon a thick and well rounded stick. Astimar brought up the stick to parry the blow. The creatures weapon fell from its hand as Astimar used his legs to clip it. As the creature fell to the ground Astimar moved to grab the sword. Before the creature could get back up Astimar brought the sword down lopping of the creatures head and the creature turned to stone.
Astimar got up to assist the rider but then he felt something, heard something that sent chills up and down his spine. Magic. The one creature that didn’t rush into battle was speaking the strange and eerie language of magic. Astimar couldn’t move from fear and the creature was nearing the end of its spell.

[Kenaira the Outcast]

?I have to go out there Ken.?

The fool, the fool, the bloody fool! Kenaira thought angrily. "Astimar, d-" She began, but the human had already exited out of the hollow tree. "Dammit!" The dark elf snarled. What did one have to do to make sure she survives when her companion, or companions, if one counts the unconscious Solamnic Knight, decide to act so rashly, and oh-so high-and-mighty nobly and go help a complete stranger!

Fools.

Swearing softly to herself in Silvanesti elven, Kenaira unslung her bow from her shoulders, and nocked an arrow to the bowstring, ready to draw and fire. Moving slowly and catiously, she approached the entrance, stopping her string of profanities and ranting, none of which would have done much good, except get her more calm, somewhat.

Stepping outside, still crouched down and barely making a sound except for her soft, rapid breathing, Kenaira tried to calm her heart down, and get her breathing quieter. That accomplished, she started moving in another direction, intending to run from this spot, and get to Solace as soon as possible. There was altogether too much chance that Astimar would get himself captured, and possibly reveal their hiding place to the creatures. Kenaira didn't care enough about the knight to drag him with her, and she would need to travel swiftly and quietly.

She glanced back one more time with a small sigh, preparing to go on her way, when she heard the spidery sound of the language of magic! Or more accurately, someone, most likely one of those monsters, chanting in that language. No, that will never do. If they had magic-users with them, there was probably more safety in numbers.

Snarling irratibly, the dark elf through caution to the winds, running as swiftly as her long legs would allow her to, still gripping her bow. When she saw the creature chanting clearly enough to shoot it, she did so without hesitation, bringing the bow up and aiming, firing an arrow into the back of the creature's neck with a hiss of rage.

Only then, did she notice the two humans standing, seeming to be frozen in shock, still staring at the creature which seemed to be standing, in spite of the arrow sticking out of its scaly neck.

Then slowly, almost as if in slow motion to Kenaira's eyes, the creature started plunging forward...and exploded.

((That is, assuming it was a Bozak draconian, which explodes when killed?))

[Xander Hughes]

Xander's heart beat quickened when another of the creatures lunged at him, but a flash of steel caught his eye. A dagger flew through the air, piercing one of the beasts right at the base of its scaly neck. A man ran from seemingly out of nowhere and drew his sword, the blade gleaming. He cut down several of the monsters in only a matter of moments, and Xander was forced to stand in a stilled shock. But then the stilled shock turned to horror as he recognized the spidery language of magic. Obviously one of the creatures was a magic-user, and much to his horror, Xander spotted the magic-user, preparing its spell.

And then, out of nowhere, another figure leaped from the tree's cover and fired an arrow straight at the magic-users neck. After an effortless lunge, the creature . . . exploded? Strange. Very strange. The young man had never before encountered a warrior, or any other type of creature, that exploded when killed. But, it had been strange when the beast that Xander had killed had "magically" turned to stone.

There was something strange at work here . . .

Before the young man could think anything more, another of the creatures jumped at him. Fool! Xander hadn't even seen the scaly creature sneak up on him. In one quick movement, and a swift curse, Xander made a reckless slash toward the creature's underbelly, killing it instantly. Soon the monstrousity was a pile of ash at Xander's feet.

"Damn!" Xander cursed, not bothering to sheath his sword. There could be more of the creatures out there. The young man had completely forgotten about Kenaira and Astimar for a moment, until he looked up and spotted the man and elf once more. "Do you spot anymore of those blasted creatures?" He asked, warily looking around for any signs that there were more enemies nearby. "What were they?"

Totally forgetting his manners for a moment, Xander flushed slightly and stepped toward the pair, sheathing his sword at the same time. "My name is Xander Hughes, by the way. I am honored that you assisted me. If you hadn't, I would probably be dead . . ."

[Kenaira the Outcast]

"We care not for your name." Kenaira snarled irratibly, striding forward until she was standing in front of the man, taking care to avoid the sharp shards of bone that were everywhere. They probably wouldn't hurt her much if she really did step on them, but who knew if those shards were poisoned or something. Kenaira wouldn't be surprised. Too many strange things had happened this night for her to be amazed at any more.

"And no, we don't have much of an idea what they're looking for." She shot a brief glance at Astimar, obviously questioning about the strange medallion, although she said nothing in front of Xander.

Frowning slightly, she added, "Astimar and I"-she waved a hand at the thief-"heardhorns blowing. There should be more of them, many more. I suggest we make ourselves scarce." She shot another glance at Astimar, just as someone started blowing another horn. From the sound, it was quite close by.

Retrieving the arrow that she had fired mere moments ago, Kenaira wiped the steel tip clean of dark greenish blood, returning it to its quiver. "I'm Kenaira, by the way." She added quickly, still frowning. "We should get going. Back to the tree?" The question was directed at Astimar.

[Astimar Glarway]

As the creature exploded Astimar covered his face. He paid no attention as rider cut down yet another creature. Still shaken by his fear of magic Astimar didn’t here the rider began to talk. He looked down at his left hand and the tips of his fingers were slightly transparent. Quickly he hid his hand behind his cloak and shook off his remaining fear and heard the rider introduce himself.

"My name is Xander Hughes, by the way. I am honored that you assisted me. If you hadn't, I would probably be dead . . ."

Astimar nodded at Xander as Kenaira spoke.

"We care not for your name.And no, we don't have much of an idea what they're looking for." She shot a brief glance at Astimar, obviously questioning about the strange medallion, although she said nothing in front of Xander.
Astimar seeing Kenairas questioning glance stiffened. “How much has she put together?” he thought to himself. But as quick as he thought Kenaira was speaking again.

"Astimar and I heard horns blowing. There should be more of them, many more. I suggest we make ourselves scarce."
Once more Kenaira glanced at Astimar as a horn blew. Astimar wasn’t sure if this glance was prompted by the horn or his rash decisions to save two complete strangers or maybe both. He didn’t completely understand why he did so himself. The knight may or may not have information about the scaly creatures, but that thought came after he had thrown his knife. And Xanders horse my come in handy but it was the mans screams the forced Astimar from hiding the horse was a thought that had just recently came to mind. Astimars head was racing with these thoughts but the sound of the horn blowing quickly took priority as Kenaira spoke.

"We should get going. Back to the tree?"

Astimar nodded at Kenaira and began to move in the direction of the tree. “ Xander bring the horse of yours we can use it at the tree.” Astimar called back as he Quickened his pace.

OOC: sorry for the delay.