Shalina sees two dark figures loping away down the empty, wide street. They are moving quick, but not sprinting. In a few moments they will vanish into the shadows however.
Shalina yanks on her boots but doesn't have time to get her armor. She grabs her glaive and pounds on the wall next to her, which she hopes is shared with Tekk's or Fylor's room, as she moves to the window. She then jumps out the window to give chase.
Shalina jumps out the windows and lands, catlike on the ground. If anything, she was actually more nimble then her foes. Glaive in hand she sprints after them. The two black figures make a break for a small alley. They are faster then Shalina. Unless she comes up with something clever, they will simply outpace her.
Then she hears Flyor voice, as if inside her head. Where are you? Tekk is quite worried.... Understatement of the year.
As soon as Shalina lands, she hums a lively tune to increase her speed.
Unsure how to respond to a voice in her head, she tries to think back her answer because she didn't want to make noise and give away her position. "Chasing a couple thieves. Had to jump out the window. Could use some help."
After a pause she hears Flyor, You have to speak the message, it isn't telepathic." Then, as is speaking to someone else, "Keep your shirt on Tekk!"
Shalina moves like the wind now, the cobblestone blurring under her feet, The street is quiet and dark, with no one else about. She rounds a corner, gaining considerably on them already.
She is confronted with a dark narrow alley, filled with trash and garbage. Ahead of her she spots one of her quarry darting ahead, nimbly dodging the refuse. Shalina notes she is in silence again, as her feet make no noise. Then without warning, one figure jumps at her from the shadows, arms and hands extended.
They land in a tangle, grappled together. Shalina notices this is the same one she wounded, blood dripping on her body from his wound.
Shalina repeats aloud what she had thought. She adds, "Going into an alley but if I don't, I'll lose them." She finishes just before she rounds the corner and finds herself in silence once again.
As soon as she's grappled, she once again lets her simmering anger erupt in a burst of strength. She attempts to slam her elbow into their nose and twist out of their grasp
Shaina's blade misses as the figure tackles her. In utter silence they wrestled, Shalina temporarily losing.
The man, (for it surely must be a man to be so strong?) tried to hold Shalina down.
As they are locked in combat he punches Shalina.
The blow only taps Shalina on the shoulder. She doesn't hear Tekk or Fylor reply in her head.
Shalina continues to struggle against her grappler to get herself free. She manages to grasp their arm and twists until she forces them to loosen their grip.
Shalina breaks the grapple, shrugging off the struggling figure with sudden ease, her muscles flexing.
The figure takes a fighting stance and lashes out at Shalina with a hardened fist, aiming at her knee.
The blow shakes Shalina hard, her knee throbbing in pain.
Her leg hurts so much, she feels unable to run.
If Shalina wasn't still encased in silence, someone may have heard her howl of pain at that last blow.
Feeling that her window of opportunity was closing, she grabs her weapon and strikes out at her wounded foe.
Shalin lashes out in desperation, knowing she won't be sprinting anytime soon. Two of her blows hits, ripping huge gashes on the front of the figure. The black robes hang in tattered rags, revealing a pale, bloody chest, strongly muscled. Human skin and human blood.
The figure takes the blows, obviously reeling. But then, silently turns and runs, far faster then a wounded Shalina can follow. He leaves behind some blood as he vanishes into the blackness, behind his long gone fellow. Sound returns to the alley as the figure retreats.
A few moment later Tekk and Fylor come intot he alley, the wizard throwing a Light spell, showing the dirty alley, splashed with blood.
"by Toth, what happened here?"
Relief floods Shalina as she sees both Tekk and Fylor. She's tired after her exertions and the pain radiating from her knee is intense but she is loathe to give up. "They're getting away. I made one bleed badly enough that we should be able to follow his trail." She takes a step and her knee buckles beneath her. She starts to fall but somehow keeps her footing. Gritting her teeth she starts hopping after where she saw the thief run. "They stole the artifact," she says bitterly. "I have to get it back or at least find out who took it."
Before they go Fylor casts, a healing spell on Shalina. He says, 'Sorry, Oh Lonesome One, I only had this one prepared." A bit of knowing laughter at the use of titles.
Then they go off, Tekk leading the way into the streets of the city. The streets are mostly empty, but a few times they pass other shadows. Not limber enough for their prey, but others are out and about. Other dangers? They pass on.
Finally the blood trail ends in a large (now empty) marketplace. Fylor scans the area, "I sense an old spell. They must have healed here. The blood stops."
Tekk adds, "There isn't much more to the city this direction. Tomorrow, we can come back, and find them. I don't like running about in the dark in a unknown city. The Watch or whatever they have here might take take kindly to it, let alone anything our foes have ready."
She looks at Fylor with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. "I thought you were a wizard. How is it that you can use non-arcane magicks?" She bends her knee a couple times to test it out. "Sorry, where are my manners? Thank you."
Shalina kicks up a cloud of dust in disgust as the trail turns cold. She then visibly deflates as her anger seeps away and failure weighs heavily on her shoulders. "Fine. Let's go back." She started back towards the inn and then realized how ridiculous she must look carrying her glaive while still in her bed clothes. She wasn't sure she'd feel comfortable being by herself. "Can I sleep on the floor in your room for the rest of the night - what little remains of it anyways."
"You spend a few centuries in a Temple made of pure magic, you learn a few tricks?" Then the halfling makes a face, "That was the only one I could master. Never could get summon animals right..."
Tekk insists that Shalina take his bed, and won't take no for an answer. They trudge back to the Inn and get some more sleep, through what is left of the night.
The morning comes overcast and dreary, unusual for the city, so close to the desert. A strong breeze rattles the windows and shutters. Fylor and Tekk are still sleeping when Shalina spots a note on the floor, pushed under the door.
It is written in a looping, oversized hand.
I have a business proposition for you. Meet us downstairs
There is no name.
Not wanting a repeat of last night, Shalina gently wakes Tekk and Fylor. "I'll go downstairs and see who these mysterious 'us' are but I didn't want to leave without letting you guys know where I was going."
Tekk and Fylor are soon fully awake and dressed, Tekk wearing his armor and sword openly (only his holy symbols hidden) and the wizard wearing his usual robes.
'We should go with you. The note doesn't say you have to go alone. Tekk says, peering at the handwriting.
"I guess we could argue the plural use of 'you' if questioned. If they know where to find me, they have to know that I've been traveling with you two. Fine, let's go and see what we're about to be propositioned with."
Shalina, fully armored and armed as well, makes her way downstairs to see who had summoned her, them.
The common room has a slight crowd, mostly guests grabbing some food and gossip before heading out. Her eyes scan the crowd before noticing a man waving at her, rather openly.
He is small, thin looking, with a shrewd face. His legs bounces under the table and his fingers drum the table in nervous energy. A wide smile is plastered on his face. His clothes are bright colors, blues and greens, and Shalina notes a lute poking from behind his shoulder.
Seated with him is another man, a study in contrasts. He is tall, broad, well muscled. His hair is balding, but grown to a thick braided mane in the back. His stubble covered face hide pale eyes that seem rather blank. A set of guns hang at his belt.
Shalina takes note of the guns for she had never seen any up close before. They seemed to be a curious sort of weapon. The thin man looked to be a bard but looks often proved to be deceiving. She approaches the two men and smiles politely. "May my friends and I join you? It seems like you were the one responsible for the note I found this morning. What have I done to garner the attention of strangers?"
The little man nods and waves at the table, which has three chairs. He snaps his fingers and soon breakfast is brought out, heaped high with eggs and fruit. Tekk and Fylor stare at the food, then shrugging, dig in.
Shalina stares at the guns and then catches the eye of the bigger man. His pale eyes have a blank yet intense look. It is a potent mix. The moment passes and the thin man coughs.
"I saw you had a run-in with the monks last night." He says, voice warm, "I was in the square you tracked them to. I keep an eye on them, as they owe me quite a bit of money. I saw you have no friendship with them. May I ask what is going on there?"
Shalina shrugs, "They stole something from me and I was trying to get it back. Is that why you arranged this meeting? You're a concerned citizen?"
The skinny bard looks confused for a moment then smiles, "Well, concerned, yes. As I said, the monks owe me a great deal of money, which I have been unable to collect. When I saw you had a grudge against them, I had a thought. Perhaps you and I can combine our grievances, and our efforts? You want your trinket, and I want my money."
He waves a hand at the rather strange gunslinger. "Baskir here could be useful in a fight. Not very talkative, but a wizard with his guns."
Tekk frowns. Like most paladins, he has little taste for weapons that kill from a distance. Fylor looks curious, trying to stare without catching the big man's pale eyes.
"So how do you propose we combine our efforts? Do you know where we can find them? Are their numbers great - is that why you need more help?" Shalina is still somewhat skeptical as to why their help was needed but was warming to the idea of teaming up.
The man nods, taking a bit of a ripe apple. 'I know where they can be found. As i have said, I have kept watch on them for awhile now. Their numbers have thinned a bit lately, people coming and going. I would guess less then ten are at their 'lair'." he says the melodramatic word with relish.
"What I propose is simple. We break in, Baskir collects my money, you collect your item and we leave. Some violence will probably be required, but the monks don't exactly play nice, as you saw last night."
"So what's these monks' deal anyways? Why take my item and why keep your money? Not that this matters to whether or not I join you in your endeavor, I'm just curious."
"I need my item and it would be nice to teach them some proper manners. Since you know where they can be found, it makes sense for us to team up. Do they know you've been watching them? If so, won't they be expecting something?"
"No idea about your item. The money is a loan they failed to repay. Simple enough, but I can't send a normal legbreaker, even one as useful as Baskir, alone. Frustrating."
The man takes another bite of apple, leg bouncing under the table. "They probably guess but dismiss me. Monks can be a standoff-ish group, you know. But they wouldn't expect me to have an adventurer or three with me." He nods to Tekk and Fylor.
"I can't speak for my friends but I'll join with you. The sooner the better, right? After all, they seem to like to come out at night."
The man smiles, showing teeth, 'I like it! Well, there is not need to wait. Baskir here can show you the way and he can bring back my due and" he turns to the gunslinger, 'And not a penny more!" With that he nods, stands up and leaves. 'Good luck!" he calls behind him and hurries away.
Leaving Shalina alone with the silent and off-putting Baskir staring into space, just above her head. Tekk leans over and whispers, 'You sure about this?"
Shalina whispers back, "Not at all but what other choice do I have? Honestly I thought the other guy was coming with us."
Turning back to the gunslinger she says somewhat tentatively, "Pleased to meet you Baskir. My name is Shalina. Whenever you're ready, lead the way."
Baskir nods gravely and, after a long pause says, "Well met." Either speaking was hard for him, or he told great care in formulating his words. Without saying much else he stands up, nods, and leads them into the city.
They head through the trail Shalina found last night, heading along that now vanished blood trail. Baskir though, takes them tot he very edge of town and past it, down a dry old riverbed. After maybe half a mile he crouches behind a rock and points. A big cave opening is there, looking like the mouth of a beast.
The gunslinger only says, "There." and nothing else. Tekk and Flyor peer at it, then look at Shalina. "Be hard to sneak up on."
As Baskir got to his feet, Shalina leans over, elbows Tekk in the ribs, and smiles. "I never thought I'd meet someone who talks even less than you do."
"I definitely wouldn't have found this place on my own," she remarks as they make their way down the dry riverbed.
Looking at the yawning opening, Shalina considers their options. "I could get myself in there unseen but I'm not sure about you guys. Maybe I can go in and see if anyone is keeping watch. If not, I'll wave you in. If so, I'll deal with them."
Tekk and Flyor nod, the halfling looking quite scared. Shalina has to remind herself the wizard isn't a warrior or soldier. Baskir doesn't react at all, but his eyes seem to cut right through her, scanning her.
So Shalina begins to hum a quiet tune that begins to fade in volume. As her tune begins to fade, so does she. Now invisible, thanks to magic, Shalina carefully approaches the cave with her glaive at the ready. Since the monks had been able to use magic of some sort the night before, she wasn't taking for granted that they couldn't see her. She also keeps her own senses alert to possible threats as she gets nearer.
Shalina was soon transparent, as she crossed the dry river bed. Carefully, she avoids making footprints in the dust and sand, sticking to harder rocks. With barely a whisper of sound she sneaks up on the main entrance.
There is one monk there, just in the shadow of the overhang, facing out. He is quietly mediating, a low hum issuing from his throat. His is utterly still, sitting cross legged on a bench. Brown eyes scan the outside rhythmically, back and forth. He gives no since he has spotted Shalina.
Still unwilling to attack someone completely oblivious to her presence, she chooses to use a spell instead. Shalina begins to hum a soft lullaby, attempting to put the monk to sleep.
The monk's eyes grow wide, as he feels the spell fall on him. With grace he stands up, eyes scanning for Shalina. He doesn't shout anything, not yet, but his hands make fists.
Inwardly sighing in resignation as her spell failed, she lashes out with her glaive. She taps into her rage and her luck to make the most of her attack, knowing she'll become visible as soon as her blows hit home.
Shalina flickers into vision, swinging her glaive at the man. Her first blow hits, slicing a wound into his upper arm. Hr other blow misses, the man nimbly dodging it. He moves with the supple grace of a trained fighter.
The man tries to close with Shalina but she catches him with her glaive.
Her blade slices up his leg as he tries to avoid it, but he still closes, fists clenched in tight fury. His hands move with blurred speed, punching at her face.
Only his first blow connects, smacking Shalina on the chin, hard. Out of the corner of her eye she thinks she sees her friends moving,but she is too focused on the fight to be sure.
Shalina shakes her head to clear the ringing from that last blow. While doing so, she steps back to allow her to take advantage of the reach of her glaive. She then takes another few swipes at the monk, finally finding her rhythm.
Both blows land, making the man stagger a bit, blood welling from the wounds. His tight white shirt turns a nasty bloody brown, dripping with blood. The agile, fighting stance is more weary now, a man battered and beaten.
Again though, he doesn't give up and instead darts inward.
This time he manages to dodge the blow, and get up next to Shalina, fists and feet hard and painful weapons.
This time the blizzard of blows land, and land hard. Shalina sees stars and her vision dims for a moment, but she is unbowed, unbroken.
Just as she prepares again, a beam of fiery light lances out from a rock and hits the monk in the back. He cries out in brief pain before falling to the ground. From behind a rock Fylor nods, his hands spread out in a spell.
Baskir and Tekk are close behind, weapons at hand.
Shalina staggers and gives Fylor a thumbs up and a weak smile when she catches sight of him. She then bends down and checks the fallen monk for a pulse.
She winces in pain as she gets to her feet. She then takes out one of her healing draughts and drinks it quickly for it wouldn't do to meet more of these guys in her current state.
The monk is dead, slashed and burned. Shalina searches his body and finds a potion of barkskin, potion of cure light wounds, and a potion of silence, all neatly labeled, along with a holy symbol of Sarenrae.
As Shalina drinks the potion, Tekk, Fylor and Baskir come up. 'I would have had our new friend here shoot him, but we worried it would make too much noise. We don't want to fight them all at once."
Fylor peers at the body and adds, "Do we need any spells going inside?" Baskir says nothing but notes the dead body with pale, cold eyes.
The cave looms, black as midnight, ahead of them.
Shalina puts the newly acquired potions in her bag. She's somewhat concerned that they are labeled with Sarenrae's holy symbol. Hopefully the monks just purchased them from the church of Sarenrae and didn't actually follow the goddess. Otherwise, she may need to reassess who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. She didn't know much about religion but she did know that Sarenrae did not favor evil.
She nods at the group. "Good thinking. I would have thought the same."
Shalina gives Fylor a thoughtful look. "Spells are always handy. Did you have any thoughts? Obviously invisibility is helpful or something that helps some of us move more quietly. And of course, light. It just occurs to me that I've never asked you much about your magic. Although it seems like the wild magic effects have been minimized. Or did something happen that I didn't notice?"
Flyor shrugs, "As I said, leaving the Temple seems to have helped. Not sure if it totally gone...As for light, I can provide but surely the monks need to see?" He pauses, "I don't have invisibility for all of us. I could do just you? Or, I could send in a fog.."
As he talks Baskir shakes his head slowly, 'Take too long." And he heads into the dark cave, hunching low and moving fast, one gun in hand.
"Fog in a cave would definitely alert them to something unnatural happening. I could make myself invisible again if necessary so save your spell for something else. Whatever you just cast on the monk seems quite helpful."
When Baskir takes off into the cave, Shalina moves after him. "Wait, if there are traps then you'll get caught. Let me go first and clear the way."
The gunslinger pauses just long enough for Shalina to take the lead. Having a loaded gun at her back makes her sweat a bit but she carries on. There are no traps however, and indeed they only walk for a few feet, around a corner, when they are faced with a large, natural room in the cave.
It is studded with small magical lights providing good lighting. The floor is sand, placed here long ago by the now extinct river. Near the far wall, carved into the stone wall, there is a shrine Sarenrae, an Angelic ankh above a dove. Sitting on the little altar is her item, laid in a small black box.
In front of it, on the sandy floor are four monks, kneeling in prayer are four monks. They lay prostrate in homage to the altar, ignorant of surroundings.
Baskir smiles, pulls a potion from his belt, drinks it, then, quicker then Shalina can move, draws two guns and fires. The action is silent however, and while Shalina sees the flash and clouds of smoke, there is no sound from the guns, which buck in his hands.
One of the monks falls to the floor, two bloody holes in his back. The other leap up, crying in terror, fear and rage. Baskir usually empty face lights with a savage glee, as he hides behind a rock reloading.
Behind them Fylor and Tekk are behind another rock, plainly looking at Shalina in shock.
"Wait! Let's try to talk to them first. You can't find out where your boss' money is if they're all dead." Something about this felt wrong to the archaeologist. Surely bad guys didn't worship Sarenrae, right?
For the first time in a long time, Shalina didn't know what to do. What she really wanted to do was speak with one of the monks but figured that opportunity was slipping away.
She steps into the middle of the room, hopefully blocking Baskir's next shots. Addressing the monks she asks, "Will anyone speak with me before more blood is spilled?"