"Dessie, you don't know me, so I'll give you a pass on this time. I'm not a man you want to threaten. 'Cause if you do, you better be darn sure you kill me on the first try. Otherwise, I'll take you down hard and final-like. Got me?" Sev shoulders his musket and grabs one of the shovels.
"Dessie, you don't know me, so I'll give you a pass on this time. I'm not a man you want to threaten. 'Cause if you do, you better be darn sure you kill me on the first try. Otherwise, I'll take you down hard and final-like. Got me?" Sev shoulders his musket and grabs one of the shovels.
Cyean shakes his head "Leave him be Granger. Most of the world is use to threats." He takes off his armor and places his sword down. He than moves to grab a shovel before starting to dig.
Desmond turns to Sev and says Not threatening, just warning. You leave a lot of fresh flesh in your backyard around this places and bandits are the last of your worries he moves his arm in an arc towards the horizon This godd*mned land is full of beasts that would kill you before you even saw them... Have you ever met a thylacine or a tatzlwyrm? Have you heard of the f*cking linnorm nest to the southwest? Have you listened the old women telling the story of the Sleeping Green? A f*cking green dragon that awakes around here every decade? This land wants people dead and it's still inhabited cos' we're too godd*mned stubborn! Don't you think I threaten you, I'm not a mor*n you're more and better armed he stops for a few seconds taking breath before looking square in the eye at Sev and adding And don't call me Dessie, it's a f*ckin' cow name!
"Like as not, we will want to bury these men further off, then," Winterflower suggests. "It should not be too difficult to construct a litter."
Winterflower looks in the direction that Raxus left. "That door might have been useful, but it seems to have fled."
Raxus calmly walks from the other side of the house, dragging four more bodies.
Desmond turns at Thalia's comment and says with a hint of doubt in his voice Just bury them deep enough and the smell won't attract vermin... hearing Raxus arrive carrying more bodies he says with a grin D*mn it big boy, you enjoyed yourself over there, heh
After a moment's consideration of Thalia and Desmond's conversation Raxus begins looping rope around the necks of the dead, stringing them together like fish. Winding the other end of the rope around his arm and over his shoulder he digs his feet in and simply begins dragging the whole mess of them further away.
"Someone pick a spot." he rumbles.
"As a priestess, I am absolutely appalled by the lack of discretion towards these poor fellows. But then, I advocated allowing them to live while you all appeared to enjoy yourselves slaughtering them very nearly to a man," Winterflower observes coldly.
And now we will return to Ox with none save heresay...
The man still conscious stays wide-eyed and open mouthed looking at Raxus dragging his mates' bodies, Desmond can't help but chuckle at the sight, both the unconscious men start to stir.
"Dead is dead. I spared who I could. Doubt they would have done the same."
"I really don't mind too much. It would have been different if they had meant to treat with us and perhaps come to some sort of arrangement, but they had nothing but murder in mind." Mikam shrugs, "I think that we did the best we could under the circumstances. Perhaps others will take us seriously in the future and seek an understanding rather than blood...at least I hope."
"How atypical of a noble upbringing to dismiss the deaths of them lower than you as unavoidable," Winterflower snaps. "Granted, my perspective was a good deal higher, but the bandits reacted to their leader's orders. Had you simply targeted him, as I did, and brought him down they might have surrendered to the clearly superior force.
We might cut down dozens of Wardens, but so long as Irovetti and his cadre remain in power, there will be hundreds more ready to replace them, Winterflower seethes.
"Pity, it seems that all the supposed power of the Orlovski clan could not afford you an elementary education," Winterflower concludes, then goes to the nearest rousing bandit and helps him to rise.
Under his breath Mikam mutters as he turns and walks away, "And what did you learn in that cloister lady? How to manipulate? That everything can be controlled if you can find the thread? Welcome to the real world. At least my upbrining in an merchant house taught me that the world moves, and that small-time manipulators are only happy when they sit in their little ponds, not swimming in the madness of the uncontrollable ocean, like the rest of us."
Those men are dead not because of our actions, but because of who and what they are. Bandits are all the same: self-righteous parasites on honest people and merchants. They may cloak themselves in rebellion and partisanship, but they are simple murderers. We didn't kill any that surrendered, they would never have accorded us the same courtesy.
Raxus stops near where the others have begun digging and pauses as he watches Thalia and Mikam arguing. He takes a chuffing breath like an annoyed bull and calmly takes the shovel from Desmond.
Walking over to where the argument happened he simply sticks the shovel into the ground where Mikam had stood. Raxus does not speak, he simply looks at the pair before walking into the alley between the houses again.
She offered kindness at the Bard King's hall, but since then she has gone between an angry wasp to a cat in heat.
As the group finishes burying the bodies, Toanga and Felina tie up the three remaining bandits. They are arguing between hushes over something, they seem angered at each other.
Felina comes to the group and says with fire in his eyes I am out of this, I didn't come here to be the hunted! And I don't think I belong with you, you are just a bunch of self-serving jerks! she turns to leave and turns back again after a few steps Oh, and Toanga is coming with me, we have an... understanding she looks at Thalia square in the eye Seems I served your whor* goddess better than you do
Winterflower throws her head back and laughs.
"You might at that, Mistress, if you only embody one of Her concerns. If I find your corpse along the way, I will petition for you to become Her saint."
"Congratulations. You have my blessing," Winterflower calls over Felina's shoulder at Toanga, and winks.
Winterflower quickly turns and gives her shapely backside to the pair, then crouches beside one of the bandits they tied and gently brushes the hair back from his face. The least they might have done is heal the poor brutes, she muses and sigh, wondering just when the men might wake.
Cyean watches as Raxus moves in-between Mikam and Thalia grinning to himself. He shakes his head at the exchange between Thalia and Felina. He watches as Felina and Toanga walk off. He moves to pick up his gear re-donning his armor and placing his sword on his back.
Desmond approaches Mikam and with a grin in his face whispers to the sorcerer
The bandit Raxus felled looks at Thalia while she tends to his wounds and says Thanks for your troubles good lady, but if you allow me to ask you, what are your plans for us? I can vouch for my mates that if we're freed we will leave this area and make no trouble for you at all.
"My plans?" Thalia hums, her lips turning up in a smile. "I would prefer a different man each night, although I may be induced to accept multiple partners, as well," she jests and laughs softly. "I have no reason to believe your word, but neither have I the ability to police your activities once you do leave us.
"However," Thalia pauses and touches her tongue to her upper lip. "If you would be persuaded to return to your former way of life, could you also then be convinced to prey upon those supply trains belonging to our lord and master Irovetti?"
The man looks straight at Thalia as he says So you are not Irovetti's friends I guess, I don't have the manpower to organize raids nor the strength to recruit men in the current situation, I would be able to offer you information and keep track of those supplies for you but my partners will not remain in these lands as long as the Ox is alive, for being traitors to that man means death
A warm smile forms on his face as he adds I would be honoured to share your nights if you want, but I must warn you that I am a curious man, and will not be able to avoid my questions to outnumber my caresses
"One who aspires to leadership?" Thalia observes, smile broadening. She gives a low chuckle and then leans in to whisper in his ear, placing several fingers on the dagger in its sheath on her hip.
Thalia regains herself and pulls the dagger from its sheath and taps it softly on the palm of her hand. "It is not as though I risk endangering their good opinion of me if I cut you free," she sighs and makes to do so, then pauses. "A query first, if I may be so bold. What is the Ox's preferred weapon? And how did he come by the title?"
The man smiles broadens after Thalia's whisper he answer her questions without a hint of doubt I've only seen him fight once, he used an axe bigger than many men, and the name, well you see your friend there? his hand motions towards Raxus The Ox is even bigger and wears a helmet with horns to the sides. Bandits are not the most imaginative crowd. The cunning bast*rd is the weasel, the tracker is the dog, the old woman is the raven and the big man is the ox. Cliché I know, but it is how their minds work.
As the men finish digging, Sev grins at the departure of Felina and Toanga and the cat fight averted by the other female's departure. He leans upon his shovel for a moment, wiping sweat from his eyes. "What are we do about the princess? Her mood swings are going to be an issue."
"Aaah, but which one handles the reigns? Or is it several?" Thalia inquires with a low chuckle, and offers her hand to help the bandit up. "I am called Thalia by most, and B*tch by many more. Choose whichever title you believe fits me best. So long as you scream it in the height of ecstasy I will be pleased."
Raxus grunts at Sev's words. "She will learn that we are not hers to play with. If she will not learn on her own, she will be taught."
Raxus grunts at Sev's words. "She will learn that we are not hers to play with. If she will not learn on her own, she will be taught."
"I've seen her type before. The flutter in public and poison in private type. They're not the sort to learn without there being a penalty to not learning. Best to keep a close eye on her. She could be useful, if I didn't suspect she was using us for her own ends.."
Raxus' brows narrow in thought. He clearly had very little idea of what Sev was talking about but he simply pursed his lips and sighed.
"She seemed nice earlier." he said with a shrug. "Now I'm not so sure."
The Ox wouldn't let anyone take the reins from him, but the raven has his ear, the weasel has tried but failed, and the dog is not interested in responsabilities he stands up Lothar is my name lady Thalia, if that's what you like I will call you a whor* despite my respect for you. he looks back at the other two bandits Will you free my mates? I'm not the most honorable man, being a bandit after all takes its toll on a man's principles, but I promised to get a deal for the three of us, and will hold to my word
Desmond moves to the area where Raxus and Sev are talking Well, boyos, you planning to move soon or should I prepare some onion soup for you?
Thalia laughs at Lothar's admission that he's not the most honorable man. "Your mate there mentioned escape to Pitax," she gestures to the previously animated bandit with a nod, "If you believe bandits to be dishonorable, the lot of you should avoid the city altogether," she says and laughs again.
"I will free your mates," Thalia agrees, then pauses. "If for no other reason than I have no method of holding you."
"I think that we should find a better place to spend the night. Its mildly ironic that we were safer sleeping in the wildernees as we walked out here. We were in this village, what, and hour or so before we got attacked? Additionaly, I don't want to be here if the whole gang comes looking for revenge for the death of their men."
"The problem Mikam is they know the land better than we do. Unless someone knows a very hidden spot they will find us no matter where we go."
Mikam's eyes widen as he realizes the truth behind Cyean's words.
"What are we going to do then? We need to find someplace safe!"
"They will come here first, from the most direct path from where they are, then follow us. We just need to lead them somewhere good for us and bad for them."
Desmond listens to the men discussing before chiming in Well if you're going to leave you may as well do it soon, once the night falls you'd better be safe than sorry he looks at Thalia and Lothar Maybe the girl's toy can be helpful looking for somewhere to camp
"Not a bad idea to get out of here. 'Course we should kill Dessie first, keep him from sending the bandits after us..." Sev's grin makes it apparent he's only half-joking.
On Desmond's cue, Thalia grasps Lothar's shirt and pulls him to her for a kiss. The pain in her breast is excruciating, and pours from her lips in a growl of frustration. Here have I a most eager cock, and flesh to fill it and still my Lady taunts me, Winterflower laments, her agony breaking the kiss before she would have preferred to simply to tease Desmond. She releases Lothar and presses the dagger she used to cut him free into his hand. "Two pairs of hands work more quickly, and, in case those mates of yours are not quite as honorable as you," she suggests with a pained smile.
Thalia moves over to one of the bound bandits and sits on his chest, before pulling the dagger kept in the holster on her thigh and slapping his face with it softly. "Before I free you, I would like some indicator that you will behave," she says sweetly. "My blood thirsty companions will make short work of you if you err, and I do not wish your blood to be upon my hands."
Desmond once more cringes when Sev calls him Dessie I'm sick of your bullsh*t Sevie, you want to kill me do it, but don't expect me to fall down easily, I ain't been survivin' out here for years to back down at the first motherf*ckin' asshol* with a... how do you call that sh*t? A boomstick? He looks at his house for a second I'm helpin' you even though I'm not sure it will be any use, I could have sneaked while you were fightin' but I didn't cos' I'm not a f$@~*n' coward, if you want to threaten me be a f~@#*ng man and do it, if you don't, stop with your f~&+*n bullsh*t and get out of here before they track you down after that outburst he turns back, picks the shovels and starts walking towards his house. After a few steps he turns back and shouts
Lothar gets to work untying one bandit while the other looks at Thalia eyes and says Whateva' you wan' I jus' wanna live!
Thalia's lips tug upwards in a sly smile. "I admire your honesty," she says and cuts the poor creature loose. She rises and steps over him, then offers him her hand to help pull him to his feet.
"Gather what you can of your kit, it sounds as though we've overstayed our welcome here."
After freeing the bandit, Thalia sheathes her dagger and returns to the remainder of the group. She is pressing her hand to her left breast, and it is a visible struggle for her to maintain her typical cheery countenance. "Another night in the wilds, then?" she says through gritted teeth. "My backside fairly ached for the comforts of a bed of rocks and twigs."
"Are you hurt?" Raxus says to Thalia, concerned buy hesitant.
"It pleases my Lady that I suffer for my impudence," Thalia answers tightly. "She has turned my lust to pain."
Sev laughs quietly at Desmond's rage. "That one needs to loosen up a bit. Too much clenching is bad for a man."
Turning back to the group, he shoulders his musket. Seeing Raxus' concern and the priestess' response, he frowns. "And how does Calistria wish you to get back in her good graces then?"
"Who is Calistra? Why would she do that?"
"Calistria is my goddess, Raxus. The Sacred Sting, patroness of courtesans and whores. She is punishing me because I was rude. The night we met I took my sister to bed without an appetite for her. She was not able to reciprocate the joy I brought her to, and thus I was cursed.
"My Lady desires I invoke Her power, great hunter," Winterflower answers. "Through my c*nt and my cunning Her influence spreads. In exchange I am lent a fraction of Her power to achieve my own ends. Though that remains between myself, my Lady, and Her heralds."
"So she punishes you by causing you pain when you try to have sex? Seems counterproductive."
"And not very nice."