Emeralia

Arrow nodded his head at Sigrid's words; they rang true in his own head, thinking back to his days as a soldier himself. Whilst it had been true that his king had been conservative with his better troops, the unit which Arrow had led had been considered something along the lines of cannon fodder themselves, not half due to he himself. It would have been far more convenient for his father were his bastard son simply to be slain in battle. Of course, this hadn't occurred to Arrow in those years, but looking back at it, it was a little more obvious.

"I have some experience in that department." he noted with a smirk, "And I agree wholeheartedly. What more is a dragon than a particularly large, bitey foe alike any other? Aside from the necromancy and the fire breathing, of course... but nay, such things are manageable. I am certain we will have mages of our own to aid us against him..."

At that moment, the patrol of guards made their way past, shouting their instructions, and Arrow raised a brow.

"Whilst it would be logical for us to return to our places of residence at this point, I somehow feel disinclined towards it." The archer chuckled. "What say you, madame, do you fancy accompanying me to aid the guards in their defence of the city?" Arrow looked upwards at the night sky, flexing his fingers. The moon shone brightly, and the light of the lamps combined with that should provide enough light for him to shoot capably. As long as the night remained clear, that was...

Tuon listened attentively as Awl continued on his story-telling and when Awl, indicated that they should leave the tavern, for the bartender, who was eyeing him suspiciously seems like he wanted to be alone. Tuon dug into his inner coat where he hides some of his travel money and placed a full bag of coins, the last few such bags of his, on the table before leaving. Tuon did not feel sorry for the earthquake but he did feel sorry that the bartender had to take such damage for the stupidity of human actions.

As they left the tavern, Tuon listened as Awl went on about how his story, the similarities in both their stories were striking, yet despite their similarities, their differences too were distinct. “For us Zaggyar, it is a different story. As the Bayar are a special lot amongst the Zaggyar, the first Bayar established a temple hidden deep within the Rothen Wastelands and each new child Zaggyar are tested for the ability to use magic from our adulthood ceremony and brought to the temple to undergo training. We came from no clan and all clan, in times of emergencies; we are the uniting factor of the entire Zaggyar race.” As Tuon finished, he let Awl go on with his story.

Stopping at a small crossroads from where they left the tavern, Tuon noticed that Awl was looking at something but did not manage to see what before he turned his attention back to Tuon again. Tuon listened with great interest as Awl described the purpose of his visit and as he paused, a look of pure surprise was on his face; it was as if Awl had no intention to reveal what he had just said and would do anything to take it back. As he resumed, Tuon realized that Awl was asking him a question. He smiled as he replied and bowed deeply enough for a king, a mark of respect amongst the humans which he learned.

“My name is Tuon Rila Zagtayar. Rila is my family name and Zagtayar is my clan name. Bayar of the Zaggyar race and traveler of the human nations. It is my pleasure to meet you, Awl, Shaman of the Tui.” When he finished, he bowed once again. “My apologies if I have offended you. We of the Zaggyar prefer formal greetings and it seems that I must be losing my way to have forgot such an important part of our culture.”

Just then, a gong ringed in the distance, calling for a curfew and for citizens to return to their inns or the inns opened by the city watch.

“Well, my friend, would you care to accompany me back to an inn opened by the city watch, so that we may enjoy the young night together. And perhaps we might even learn what is plaguing this city, what say you?” And Tuon’s eyes was once again flashing with the yellow of excitement and ecstasy.

The Tui shook his head in response to Tuon as the curfew summons disappeared amongst the urban surroundings. "No, I must apologise" Kiritanek began diplomatically, "I did not wish to cause you any inconvenience. I just wished to be polite and speak to you on level terms, my friend." He paused a moment before continuing, voice holding no humour at the mistake "Awl is merely my title, I apologise for the misconception."

The Shaman smiled his toothy grin at Tuon's suggestion. "I must decline." He said, politely. "I shall remain beyond any walls today. I ask you to do the same, for anything we could learn within these inns we can learn beyond them." He looked steady and sure in his statements "I already understand the general nature of these threats. A day of listening patiently within an ale house provides much information of varying sorts. I believe we are facing creatures of darkness and undeath and I shall see the extend of these beings myself for there is no better way."

"Coriel? What an odd coincidence." Kiriel raised an eyebrow as she walked, glancing over her shoulder. The drow did a double-take upon noticing Coriel's new look, but then remembered her previous observation. "Ah, yes, you are a nymph then. That always catches me by surprise." Looking back ahead, Kiriel chuckled. "Variety is the spice of life, I suppose."

It was a short jaunt through the streets before the city's walls became prominent, towering over the streets several blocks away. The last few trickles of sunlight were fading as it ducked behind the mountains to the North, and with it the civilians were holing themselves up in their houses. The movement of armoured guards through the streets became more obvious, patrols were increased and their weaponry upgraded from cudgels to swords, axes, and bows.

There was an odd lull as a patrol passed out of earshot as Kiriel and Coriel moved, the city eerily silent as families quietly went about their evening business within the confines of their homes. Most cities would still be hives of activity at this time, but not Emeralia. Kiriel clicked her tongue. "Now if I know my villainous activities, this would be the momentary quiet right before the..."

At that moment a loud and echoing screech resonated through the city from the sky.

"...loud noise announcing the attack." Kiriel finished, smirking.

From the cloudy night sky above, silhouetted against the low moonlight, winged shapes began to descend. From another adjacent street came a shout of "Gargoyles!" from a guard patrol, and across the city bows were turned skywards. The shapes descended sharply into dives, more echoing screeches resounding through the streets as the gargoyles attacked. As they drew closer, their appearance became more obvious. Their wings were ragged, batlike and rotten; their features twisted in snarls and howls. Sharp teeth were bared, and faintly glowing green eyes staring and dead; their limbs and extremities ended with scything claws, their skin grey and tough. All in all, they were pretty nasty things.

"Heads up, nymphy boy." Kiriel grinned, lifting her own bow and aiming upwards. "Wouldn't want to drop one of these on you by mistake."

The drow released an arrow, and pierced a gargoyle through the eye. It fell from the sky to crumple on the ground only a few feet to the pair's right.

"Nasty fuckers these, but at least they die easier than skeletons...."

Tuon listened attentively as the Tui politely declined his request. He smiled as the Tui volunteers to stay outside of any protection and even wishes to combat some of the vile beasts.
Tuon bowed and said, “I shall respect your wishes, and as my new friend, perhaps I shall accompany you. My powers, however will be diminished as I have not brought my quarterstaff with me and exhaustion will take its toll on me.”
Just then, as the last of the sun fell away, the sounds of marching boots could be heard resonating throughout the city as the guards in the city increased and each was spied with elaborate weapons.
Tuon turned towards the Tui and gave a warm smile. “Well, looks like being inside the city is a good learning experience too.”

"Indeed" Kiritanek responded, looking to the sky as shadows started to flit in the dark sky. "I thank you for accompanying me. As I understand your strength shall be more then needed without the assistance of your staff." He smiled at the Zaggyar, encouraging.

A screech from the sky raised a cry as the shapes in the sky dropped down towards the ground. In a moment Kiritanek's scimitar, until presently unnoticed at his side, was drawn and ready. The gargoyles descending with frightening speed, in other parts of the city some made it to the ground and some encountered the armoured patrols. Sounds of battle began to spring from around the streets, at the moment on a few cries rung from mouths. A few of the grey skinned beings made their way towards the two standing in the open. These the shaman spotted. In a moment of concentration he swung his arm out, fingers apart and palm facing towards the descending monstrosities. The water vapour in the air around the Tui's appendage cooled with the power of his magic and began to shape itself into shards of ice hovering just above the spell caster's hand. With a simple closing of his fist the shards were propelled into the air, the once empty sky around the diving gargoyles filled with the icy projectiles. Three fell, pincushions of ice and crashed at the Shaman's feet. Two had managed to avoid the shower and continued their journey towards Kiritanek and Toun. The Shaman had just briefly expending himself with the last spell and would not be able to deal with the grotesque survivors.

Arrow did indeed follow behind Sigrid, and his eyes went to the sky when the first screeches were heard. The archer narrowed his eyes at the silhouettes of the gargoyles that descended from the sky toward them, lifting his bow from his back and nocking an arrow to it. "It seems that the first instance of combat shall be at least partially aerial, my lady Sigrid." Arrow murmured, locking his eyes onto one shape that soared overhead. "I shall draw their attention to us, I think; ready yourself."

At Arrow's words, the arcane archer moved his hand over to the end of the nocked arrow, briefly brushing against it. Where his hand passed, the arrow's tip became alight with glowing fire, and he grinned. Lifting the bow skywards, Arrow aimed the weapon at the gargoyle that moved over them, and loosed. The arrow shot into the sky, unnaturally bright as it soared upwards, illuminating the area around them briefly before passing too high for the light to reach them. Arrow's aim was true, and the arrow head embedded itself into the gargoyle, knocking it backwards with a screech. It did not finish there, however, even as the creature began to descend in a flailing of wings. After a few moments, the arrow exploded like a firework, creating a loud bang that could be heard from several blocks away, as well as a burning light in the sky, only slightly obscured by bits of gargoyle.

"I give it three... two... one..." Arrow began, and as the archer had predicted, in only a few moments time a great deal more gargoyles appeared within the pair's field of vision, attracted to the light. "Ah, there we go. Much better!"

Arrow lifted his bow once more, nocking another arrow, and began to fire. His arrows flew true every time, striking gargoyles down in various manners ranging from crackling spasms brought about by surges of electricity, down in blocks of ice, or even in one interesting instance in through a nearby window, at which Arrow winced and called "Sorry!" at the responding screeching from inside as the gargoyle's corpse came to a rest in somebody's kitchen.

Of course, as accurate and fast as Arrow was, his little light show had drawn more gargoyles than he could take down before they reached him, and about half a dozen of the creatures descended nearby to attack both he and Sigrid in close range. The sound of booted feet as a group of the city watch approached was audible nearby -- it seemed they had noticed the concentration of the creatures descending toward this particular street. Whether there would be any gargoyles left by the time they got there was another matter...

The kingdom walls were there looming in the distance, and from where Alex stood at the top of a hill, she could see the firelight coming from the houses and watchtowers, and some small flashes of light on one side of the walls.

"That is odd. Are those fireworks?" Then she looked closer as the small flashes illuminated tiny silhouettes that anyone with lesser eyesight wouldn’t have seen in the fading light.

"Oh. That’s not good. Are those gargoyles?" And indeed they were.

After a groan of sheer exasperation, Alex took off on a dead run, mentally cursing at her mother for delaying her departure and causing her to miss the start of the fighting. Then, as she watched the small gargoyles’ shapes fly towards the city, she noticed a few branch off and come her way.
“Well this is brilliant. Here they come... But at least there are only four of them.” She removed her trusty sling from the right side of her belt as she talked aloud to herself to stay calm, and retrieved a smooth stone from the pouch on the left side of her belt. She placed the stone in the leather pouch, and, feeling its weight, watched the gargoyles come closer. As they neared, she started spinning her sling until it was whirring audibly.

After waiting a few more moments for the beasts to come closer yet, Alex let loose and the nearest of the four gargoyles fell dead to the ground, a stone embedded deep in its skull. Unfortunately, Alex was only able to unload one more deadly stone before she had to draw her club. Loading up and getting the sling up to speed again would probably end up getting her killed before she even reached the city. One of the gargoyles landed in front of her, and the other remained flying overhead. Alex kept a watchful eye on the airborne one as she backed up slightly from the first. The ground gargoyle swiped its ugly claws at her as the one in the sky dove down to grab her with its sharp talons. She rolled as the two nearly ran into each other, and then they both took to the air and circled her. One dove, but Alex hardly needed to move. She turned her shoulders sideways, swung her club and cracked its head, then turned to look around for the other.

'The other' was coming at her now, and this one looked as if it would try the same diving method as the other, but instead it feinted, slapping Alex’s head with the side of its tail, leaving her momentarily dazed. She had forgotten to wear her helmet, of all things.

Then the thing pounced on her and ominously lifted an arm to swipe at her face. She backhanded it, picked up her club, and swung at its head. There was another satisfying crack, and it was over.

"Gargoyles. Why someone would send them out as a main force escapes me, She puzzled over this, despite her lack of military experience. All you do is swing and they go down like flies. I guess the problem lies in hordes of them... Like that horde over there at the castle, where I should have been a few days ago."

Alex dramatically groaned in exasperation again, then started running towards where she had seen the flashes and horde of gargoyles. She hoped she wouldn’t miss too much, but knowing her luck the things would all be dead before she got there.

As the Tui smiles at him, a screech piercing through the sky raised a cry of alarm in the city and figures of grey skins called gargoyles began to descend out of the sky at frightening speeds. The awkward silence of the street just now became a sea of screaming souls as people who didn’t manage to make It to their house screamed and ran for their lives and as armoured patrols fought and tried to repel the gargoyle attacks.

As soon as Tuon saw that a few of the gargoyles were approaching him and the Tui, the Tui immediately summoned up a few shard of ice and threw It in the direction of the gargoyles. Tuon saw that three of the five gargoyles that flew in their direction went down with shards of ice dotting their entire bodies and saw that his Tui friend had already exhausted himself.

Tuon gathered the energies of the Earth around him. Summoning the discipline of a Bayar he had learned, Tuon took the dirt of the earth and shaped them into shards of dirt, similar to what his Tui friend there had done. Tuon stretched his hands out and controlled the few shards, moving them in simple movements, yet deadly. Even though Tuon could not manage to kill the gargoyles straight off, he still managed to hurt them enough so much so that both the gargoyles retreated with heavy bleeding.

Kiritanek recovered from his expenditure of energy quickly, he was thankful for Tuon's assistance. "My thanks." He said as the wounded gargoyles backed off. A grin spilt his face, revealing rows of aggressive teeth. "Shall we finish them off?" He asked and without waiting for an answer his scimitar was out of its scabbard and newt-like Tui charged at the ugly beings. The slow-of-thought winged monstrosities were taken by surprise, usually creatures were the ones doing the chasing. The nearest's brain finally caught on that it should move, but it was too late for the Shaman's blade slipped though the flesh at the gargoyles neck. The startled head fell from the shoulders of its bearer as Kiritanek, still moving forward from his stroke, smashed his shoulder into the still standing headless being. The corpse flew backwards, knocking over its fellows as the Shamans charge halted, his decapitating stroke had brought his blade around, bearing his shoulder and back. He took a moment to recover his stance, but in that time the other gargoyles had caught on to the situation and went for the Tui in a variety of methods.

one attempted to take flight and tumbled out of the way entirely as the shredded wings failed to hold it in air. The other was not so foolish and, earthbound, headed for the Shaman. Drooling mouth open and claws raised to strike, it executed no ability in its attack and Kiritanek found it easy to drive the cold steel into its stomach and up through the being's diaphragm. The steel grew even colder as the Tui froze the black ichor that passed for blood around the wound. Essentially freezing the creature to death. He disengaged the blade from the corpse and turned to face the recovered, flightless gargoyle.