Randionalia Ashengrits's Story

"These men have committed atrocious crimes to this nation and to this community! Today, we will serve judgment to these fools and see who has the last laugh once they're on the ferry across the dark river!"

In a wide open space, six people were on their knees side-by-side, their wrists and ankles bound tightly together with rope so that they had no chance of escaping. This was, no doubt, a platform for public execution, and Asha had witnessed many of them in her time. Various streetfolk gathered in a semi-circle around the criminals with furious expressions on their faces as they picked up rocks from the ground and began hurling the stones at them.

"Die, scum!"

"Go to hell!"

"You'll pay for what you've done!"

"Monsters!"

"I hope this stings in the afterlife!"

An older woman with visible wrinkles marring her face approached Asha, cramming a stone into her hands with an angry, determined flare behind her eyes.

"Here, you should throw, too," the woman said, urging her to join in the stoning. Asha briefly shifted her attention to the six people, watching as they flinched and spat blood as the stones struck them, some cursing at the top of their lungs and others staying silent with their heads down.

"Sorry, I'm not interested," she finally replied, pushing the rock back into the surprised woman's hands. "I'll be on my way." As she turned around and started to walk again, something hard hit her in the back of the head and she turned her head over her shoulder to see that the woman had flung the rock at her, clearly even more displeased than she was before.

"You're just as bad as they are," she spat. "Anyone that supports scum like that deserves to die, too."

Asha reached toward the back of her head and pressed her hand against the area where she felt a prominent sting, looking at her fingers to see that they were slick with blood. She turned to the woman again.

"I see," she said quietly. She stood still for a moment with her eyes fixated on something in the distance as though pondering something, but instead said nothing, continuing on her way and was not disturbed again. At length, she came across a poster that was attached to the wall of a bakery, and gave it a quick look. It listed a request to slay a dragon that's been terrorizing the kingdom, encouraging warriors and magi from all walks of life to join in the effort.

A dragon...

Asha looked down at her Gatekeeper Blade, seven runes inscribed on its surface, two of them with a faint red glow.

Yes, I suppose that is one of them. I'll be looking into this, but first...

The warm scent of the bakery lured her inside and the doors closed lightly behind her with the tinkling of a bell. Outside, someone had freed the six dangerous convicts from their bindings and set chaos loose in the city...

Radionalia Ashengrits was summoned by the king to have an audience with him. She arrived at the doors to his thrown room and the guards let her in, once she was inside she got down on one knee and pressed her fist to the ground, her other arm laying across her upper knee, her head bent. "Good day my king." She said.

"Randi, stand. I am not a king as of this day." Randi nodded and stood, looking at the king with her hard eyes, though she wasn't being disrespectful. "Randi. As you may know my daughter, the princess, has been kidnapped by that demon dragon who has taken our land. I can only turn to you Randi, to get her back. I trust you most for this mission, you may recruit any you find are trust worthy and strong enough to not become a hindrance."

"If I may ask my lord, is there any knowledge as to where the princess may be?"

The king shook his head solemnly. "I'm afraid not, we have no knowledge as to where the dragon made it's lair. I will have to leave it up to you to find it and rescue my daughter."

Randi nodded in understanding then bowed low. "Yes my lord, I shall depart immediately." The kind nodded and dismissed her.

The Captain watched as the six individuals he asked for seem to cooperate, despite answering vocally or not. "Good, if you would all follow me, my men and I will escort you to the Jailhouse." The Captain gave a strange look to the small one as he raised an eyebrow, but ultimately ignored the comment. "Let's move out." He ordered his men as they helped push the six strangers along. The Captain lead them all into the Jailhouse. Inside it was dark and a bit damp in there. The Cells were mostly empty, save except for a few prisoners. They watched with curiosity as the six strangers were ushered into the stone walled building.

"Alright if you would all stand near the wall here, I shall get to questioning you shortly." The Captain spoke as he left for a moment. A few guards kept an eye on the group. The Captain's voice could be heard, giving new orders. Some where to remain outside, and the rest where dismissed. He returned and look towards the group. "Alright, I have some questions for you and I would ask you answer them truthfully and one at a time." "Now you in the armor what's your name?"

"Taethion sir." The Paladin spoke.
"And what is your business in Beystead, Taethion?"
"Well sir I was here to seek employment." "I travel about helping those in need." "I thought a city could use extra help."
"What is it that you do?" "Are you a mercenary?"
"No sir, I am a Paladin of the Order of Saint's Illumination." "I follow the creeds of Dedarius, Patron God of Saints." Taethion spoke.
"Oh, Religious man eh?" "I have heard of your Order before, quite along way from home aren't you?"
"Yes but you must know we are regularly sent out on missions to help others, do you?"
"Yes, your Order once helped a friend of mine." "Alright and what is your connection to this riot?"
"Well, I saw the men bounded and being prepared for execution." "I'm not quite sure what happened, I went into the Bakery and then suddenly I heard screams, I-"
"So you have no clue as to how they escaped?"
"None sir." "I just went to help out those who were in danger." "My friends and I subdued them so they wouldn't cause any more trouble."

The Captain nodded, "So you know these people?"
"Not very well, no, I just met them today." "I met her in the Bakery first and then the others during the fight."
"Weren't you fighting one of your so-called friends?"
"Well yes but I was confused, I had thought him a fugitive when I laid my eyes upon him." "But I was sorely mistaken."
"Yes I see." "Which one was he?"
"The one in the Hood."
"Yes, hm." "I heard something about magic being involved?"
"Yes magic was present at the fight, but no one was harmed or anything."
"Yes alright, which ones were responsible for that?" "The Hooded One?"
"Um, Yes and the fellow in the Hat."
"Alright, well that's all I needed to hear from you."
"So do I leave?"
"No, I'll release you when I am finished with the others."

He then went on to the others and asked them the same type of questions.

____

Meanwhile, many Guardsmen and civilians were passing tale about what happened in the square. These rumors soon reached the ears of Randionalia Ashengrits. The Guards chattered near her. "Yes I heard they are exceptional swordsmen!" "Even fought the criminals without their swords!" "Yes I heard that!" "Wasn't one of them a monster?" "I'm not sure but I heard something like that." "Ah yes I did as well, didn't someone sprout wings?" "Actually I heard he sprouted blades." "I heard he turned into a boulder!" "A boulder!? How peculiar?" "Yes, what a freak!" "That wasn't the only one!" "I heard something about a boy with freakish strength." "Freakish strength you say?" "Do tell!" "I'm not sure but he helped a buddy of mine out, if it wasn't for him that criminal would have run him through!" "Really! Amazing!" "Yes, not to mention the bright light I saw." "What bright light?" "I don't know, looked like fire." "Fire? There's been no fires today!" "Well that's what I thought I saw." "Well what a day!" "I wish I could have seen it!" "I as well." They spoke.

Randi sighed as she walked away from the king's throne room, she knew that despite her abilities there was no way she'd be able to retrieve the princess on her own. She also knew that none of her own men would be fit for the job, they were great assassins but they didn't have the skills to go on rescue missions. She sighed again as she passed a couple guards and heard a bit of idle gossip.

"Did you hear about the latest group of prisoners? I'm amazed the guards could capture them, I hear they're really powerful, some even use magic I heard."

"Yeah, but I also heard that they didn't do anything horrible themselves, I think it was a case of wrong place wrong time..."

Randi didn't stop to listen and their voices faded behind her. She'd heard enough. She headed to the jail.

"I'll be taking the newest batch of prisoners." She told the captain.

"W-What?" The guard stuttered in surprise and bowed in respect to Randi. "Miss Randi. Why would that be?"

"I have been asked by the King to get the princess back by any means necessary. I believe the prisoners would be of use to me on this job."

The guard hesitated, but after getting a look from Randi he bowed and said. "Of course Ma'am."

The Captain shot up before he could question the last fellow in the leather garb. "Oh may I hadn't expected the leader of the King's Assassins to be here!" "I see you wish to use these men for the quest to save the Princess?" "Well I trust you know what your doing." The Captain turned from Randi's position and looked towards the six strangers. "Well then fellows, it looks like you've been given a great honor." "Miss Ashengrits doesn't pick just anyone for missions." "Looks like your all free to go." The Captain spoke as he turned away from them. "All yours ma'am." The Captain saluted her and then walked out of the jailhouse.

Taethion

The paladin was more than a bit surprised by the sudden arrival of the woman. It was clear these guards have great respect for her. She must be someone important. He heard her speak and she mentioned about getting the Princess back. Was she kidnapped? Taethion thought. If that's true then this is serious. Well if this woman wished to recruit him, then he sees no reason why he should turn her down.

Iator

The gnome watched intently as the guards began to dismiss themselves and hand over the 'prisoners' to a new woman. He spoke to everyone and no one in particular. "Well, I suppose that went better than it could have. I wonder what this mission is? Amenazor works in mysterious ways indeed." He was definitely going to join this mission. It was too exciting not to.

Pravus

It was a rather confusing ordeal overall. After being led into the jail the authoritative figure questioned the others before a woman arrived and spoke with the man. After some conversation the man turned back to them and addressed them all once again. He managed to understand the word "Free."

As the person he supposed was the captain of these men left them in the company of the girl he was tempted to walk out since he assumed the man meant they were free to go but on the off-chance that the girl had more business with him he stayed and tried to understand what little of what they were saying that he could. With his shovel resting atop his pauldron he continued to stare at the young girl who seemed to command some authority through the eye sockets of his rather old mask.

Randi looked at the six prisoners, her eyes hard as they always were but they were always startling and a little frightening at first to people. "Well, I have chosen you all to accompany me in this mission because I have heard of your abilities. But hearing isn't good enough for me. I need each of you to demonstrate to me what you have by either sparing with me or showing me in some other ways."

Adrian was caught by surprise when an important looking girl arrived and commanded the guard to let her take them with her, but he is more surprised when he heard the princess of the kingdom was kidnapped by a dragon. The woman wanted to recruit them to help save the princess, and Adrian was more than willing enough to help. His kind heart could not possibly let himself decline such quest of saving the fair princess of a kingdom.

The girl started to talk about their ability and demonstration. Unsure of what to do, Adrian touched the floor and break the stone tiles with a punch. He stood back up and said. "Is it enough for a demonstration?" He said as he scratched the back of his head.

"Not good enough for you, huh?" Gale snickered, leaning with his back against the wall as he folded his arms over his chest, a skeptical look in his eyes. "Looks like the little girl's got a big mouth."

Asha only gave a noncommittal shrug in response, waiting for the young woman to pick somebody to go first or for somebody else to volunteer.

Taethion looked up to the woman as she asked for some sort of demonstration of their abilities. Well if she needed convincing to ensure she is picking the right team, then he will prove himself. He doesn't want to be left behind because he couldn't do something simple as that. He saw Adrian punch right through a stone floor, impressive. Taethion then stood before her. While he could show her combat skills, he decided to show her a more useful talent. Considering the people here, there is no shortage of warriors. "Alright then watch carefully." Taethion spoke as he took of his glove, showing his palm. He then drew his sword and placed the edge against his flesh. He took a deep breath and then made a very deep cut in his hand. He was bleeding profusely. He then muttered some words and a bright light seemed to shine from his palm. Then the wound magically sealed, completely healing.

"I can heal bigger wounds, not just on myself but I can heal wounds on other people." He spoke as he covered his hand with his glove. "I hope that can help you on your journey along with my swordsmanship." Taethion spoke as he stood away from Randi. He hoped that demonstration was adequate.

Iator

Iator looked as the others jumped at the chance to show off their skills to this baby of an elf. He found it hilarious and was having trouble holding it in. He covered his mouth, trying his hardest to keep from laughing. The youngest of their group punched a hole in the ground and the paladin actually cut himself and healed it up in a second. The gnome swallowed his laughter and spoke up, "A show of prowess? Eh? Watch this."

He stood still, he did absolutely nothing with his hands. He spoke no words. For nearly 10 seconds, he stood in silence. Then he simply vanished. As he vanished, he appeared behind the girl and tugged on her sleeve. "Good enough?"

Randi nodded to Adrian. "That is fine, thank you." She narrowed her eyes at Gale. "I can leave you here for the guards to do with as they please, remember that." Randi nodded to Thaethion, her eyebrow slightly raised, impressed. "A very useful skill, we will definitely be needing it." She glanced back at Iator, her eyes hard and cold but also narrowed at his obvious amusement to this situation. "Yes, that's fine."

"Threats now, is it?" Gale said calmly, raising a brow. "Why am I not surprised?" He turned to Asha and gestured with a quick jerk of his head. "Want to deal with this in one swoop, Asha? Go ahead and draw your sword."

"I guess it'd be faster this way," she said, turning around to face him. She unsheathed her Gatekeeper Blade and directed its point toward him. "Are you ready?"

"More or less."

Gale made the first move, morphing his hand into a mantis claw and swinging forward. Asha responded by advancing toward the attack and ducking just under the blow, making a quick horizontal slash. He leapt over the blade and boosted himself even higher by sprouting wings, spraying black acid at the ground at her feet. While it seemed like they were engaged in deadly combat, they were controlling their attacks carefully enough so that none of them would actually connect in a fine display of power and skill. His arm changed again, this time into a golem fist - Even though they were already apart from each other, Asha hopped backwards to further increase the distance, transitioning into a steady spin that released a wave of clear energy from her blade as she slashed outward - the razorwind technique, an aura skill that allowed the force of the sword to extend far beyond the blade. He narrowly side-stepped the rapidly moving blur, watching with some anxiety as a large slash was left on the wall behind him. She was hiding something like that under her sleeve during our fight? he thought, swallowing nervously at the idea that she could've used it at any time against him. That could've been dangerous, it's nearly invisible... They left it at that, giving a short bow to each other after the demonstration.

"Anything else? Or can we leave already?"

Pravus

The young girl stood before them and addressed them all. It appeared that she was trying to look intimidating and commanding but failed for a number of reasons.

#1: She was a foot shorter than him.
#2: He's seen things that human minds weren't meant to witness. Back in his home city as the undead were rising they had started to change themselves. Bodies feasting on bodies, the shape their forms took changing as they grew. These differences between each of the changes the undead in Sed had undergone were as numerous as they were revolting. Needless to say, he wasn't going to find himself cowed by this small bodied girl.


Each of the people there all performed demonstrations of their ability to the girl, one after another. Nothing he saw here surprised him in the slightest. Back in the war he served in the Ru'ulian's fielded capabilities just as numerous if not more so.

Inevitably all had demonstrated their talents to the girl. All except for Pravus. He still stood as the last two finished dueling each other. The room was rather silent as the girl who was judging turned to him last.

His tone was low, his voice was gruff and somewhat scratchy from the damage his throat had suffered from the dark plague which inevitably took his life. "I... Dig."

He spoke with a very thick accent, an accent which no one present would be able to identify. Most of how he learned to speak Londean was learned from a young village girl, probably just a little younger than the girl judging them seemed to be. For the brief time he had spent acclimating himself to this lively land he learned a few words so he could get by. There was not a single word he knew to describe anything close to combat so he went with the next most prominent skill of his. He didn't know what he was being tested for but he'd try to understand them if he could.

Randi nodded to Gale and Asha. "If you can change into anything that will be especially helpful." She said to Gale then dipped her head to Asha. "You are an excellent swordswoman, I'm sure if I put any of you against my top men I would not be certain who would win, though I am certain it would be an intense battle."

Finally she turned her attention to the last one, a man dressed heavily for the warm weather, he seemed to not be very good at speaking their language, she could tell by his slow, careful response and the heavy accent that caused him to press and pull at the sounds wrong, so she tried to make her question simple for him to understand. "Can you fight?" She asked slowly, then demonstrated by drawing her throwing knives and holding them between her fingers, getting in a ready stance to attack, then quirking an eyebrow at him.

Pravus

He watched the girl's every movement as she slowly spoke to him before producing some throwing daggers and standing in a fighting stance. He did not understand the words but from the demonstrations prior and the girls actions he could assume her intent.

He brought his shovel up from off his shoulder and planted it handle-down by his side, standing in a formal military stance. His back straight as a board, his feet aligned perfectly together, his off-hand arm held tightly to the side of his body and his shovel perfect vertical by his side. This was the manner in which all soldiers stood while in formation outside of battle. In battle the shields would form a shield formation while he and the other spears would stand right beside them, shoulder to shoulder as they impaled the charging horde of beasts and men.

He knew well enough how to fight on his own however. Between thorough training from the military, life threatening encounters during the riots and even unlife threatening encounters in the streets after the plague he had more than enough experience to fight opponents without proper shield men to protect him.

As for this current situation he simply waited. If the girl wanted to duel him he was willing to allow her the first attack. Otherwise he'd stand until permitted to leave the jail for one reason or another.

Randi watched the man get into military stance. "Military man huh?" She said and nodded to him, dipping her head in respect and then jumping to attack, throwing her knives so they just grazed his arm and shoulder. Then as she dropped down she swung her leg out in an attempt to trip him.

Pravus

It seemed his assumption was a correct one. He'd put her words to memory so he'd know what their word for Fight was. As for his current situation he responded without really needing to put much thought into it.

twenty years of non-stop warfare and several more years of fighting off roaming undead. By this point the very act of fighting was second nature to him. As she tossed the daggers he brought the flat of his shovel in front of his face, effectively covering his head. He knew that the knifes would be of little effect against his armor which pretty much covered all of his upper torso and arms. His hands though unarmored would prove a difficult target for even a professional knife thrower. The only other valid target would be his legs but he knew it would take more than just a couple throwing knifes to disable those.

Tink! Rattle!

The first knife grazed his shoulder which was securely protected by a pauldron. The only damage it caused was a mild superficial cut in his cloak. The second knife just barely connected with his arm which was armored by a protective chain mail sleeve. The chain links rattled a little and his shirt received another nick to add to the holes, cuts and blood stains that decorate it. Had the attempt to wound him with these knifes been real he'd still probably think little of their effectiveness against armored opponents like him.


As she kicked out for a trip he swept his back in a quarter-circle in the same direction her trip was going. With his cloak sweeping with the motion, kicking up what little dirt and dust occupied the ground, His shins were now facing directly to her shins again as their legs collided against each other. Trying to sweep someone without first compromising the target's balance was already a challenging enough task. Her attacks did little to move him because his legs were planted like tree trunks when it came to the trip. Naturally the way to sweep a person's leg would be to make the opponent's foot go in the direction it's already facing. His feat were going nowhere and she'd be lucky not to have bruised her shin in the attempt.

With her attack taken care of it was time to strike. Since she was close up to him he moved his grip up closer to the shovel's head. He didn't really need the power behind his stabs right now since he assumed they were just sparring and she was too close to make full use of his range. With his hands in place he brought the shovel down and stabbed upwards right below the ribcage. This technique comes up right underneath the elbows, right where people normally guard when they aren't using shields or wearing breastplate.

His thrust was accurate to say the least. Having done this exact motion thousands of times, honed and perfected in combat, his attack flowed as naturally as a water stream down a mountain. His intent behind this attack was not to harm her however. Should she fail to block the incoming shot he'd have the shovel's point stop just short of the solar plexus region of her body, close enough to indicate beyond any doubt that he could of pierced her if he really wanted to.

As the stabbing shovel head neared it's target...

Randi smirked, glad to have a tactful sparring partner. She used his hard planted legs as leverage to kick her own legs up, her hands planted on the ground as her feet swung up and collided not with his hands but with his fingers, the part of the body that's easiest to dislodge. With the attack deterred in the least she used her hands to back-hand-spring herself back to her feet a few yards away from him. She smirked as she stared him down then ran in to attack, no weapons.