Tall Wymond speaks up. "And all o' you knew what ya were doin' the first time ya got involved in a war?"
Beaming gives him a hard look, an expression that is startling to see on her normally cheery face. "If that's what this is about, Wymond --."
"No, no, I'm sorry." Tall Wymond cuts her off. "Look, you're right, this is a war, and not a pretty one. You're needin' all the 'elp ya can get, am I right?"
Planted looks at him, clearly unimpressed. "Tall, Wymond, are you suggesting you're 'ere to 'elp fight?"
"Well, no, not that either. But we 'appen to know there's someone 'ere who might come in real 'andy in this type of scenario." He smiles nervously.
OOC: Would Tasha like to add anything at this point?
Looks at Tall Wymond confused. Then catches on. "Yes, you have a good warrior here, right under your noses."
Beaming sighs. "Say whatever it is you're tryin' to say."
"Anders. Look, there's a lot I don't know about 'im, but I do know 'e's been a soldier all 'is life."
"Are you insane?" shouts one of the men Tasha doesn't recognize. "We just fought a war against him!"
The other man with him hisses and holds up a hand to silence him as the sound bounces off the stone walls. "Quiet, fool."
"Thank ya, Coldgleam," says Beaming, "But Laggard's right, Wymond. That's a terrible idea, and ya know it."
Planted nudges her shoulder. "Hold up. The Finger's got something to say." They all turn to look at the stout woman, who shrugs and nods over her right shoulder. For a moment, everyone is silent.
"Alright, then," Beaming says through a frown. "Looks like we're takin' you to the Fist to present your case." The soldiers surround Tasha and Tall Wymond and begin walking them down the left-hand tunnel. Murmur, Planted, and the long-faced man stay behind to guard the intersection.
As they walk, Tall Wymond looks down at Beaming. "Thanks, Hil. We -."
"Stop. I told ya before. If ya want to talk to me, ya call me Beaming. And this whole thing, whatever, you're tryin' to do, is a bad idea. But I guess it makes your priorities pretty clear, doesn't it?" Tall Wymond looks away and doesn't speak again.
Looks at Tall Wymond confused. Then catches on. "Yes, you have a good warrior here, right under your noses."
Beaming sighs. "Say whatever it is you're tryin' to say."
"Anders. Look, there's a lot I don't know about 'im, but I do know 'e's been a soldier all 'is life."
"Are you insane?" shouts one of the men Tasha doesn't recognize. "We just fought a war against him!"
The other man with him hisses and holds up a hand to silence him as the sound bounces off the stone walls. "Quiet, fool."
"Thank ya, Coldgleam," says Beaming, "But Laggard's right, Wymond. That's a terrible idea, and ya know it."
Planted nudges her shoulder. "Hold up. The Finger's got something to say." They all turn to look at the stout woman, who shrugs and nods over her right shoulder. For a moment, everyone is silent.
"Alright, then," Beaming says through a frown. "Looks like we're takin' you to the Fist to present your case." The soldiers surround Tasha and Tall Wymond and begin walking them down the left-hand tunnel. Murmur, Planted, and the long-faced man stay behind to guard the intersection.
As they walk, Tall Wymond looks down at Beaming. "Thanks, Hil. We -."
"Stop. I told ya before. If ya want to talk to me, ya call me Beaming. And this whole thing, whatever, you're tryin' to do, is a bad idea. But I guess it makes your priorities pretty clear, doesn't it?" Tall Wymond looks away and doesn't speak again.
OOC: Is the Black Knight using a sword to make the attacks?
IC: Blaze is overwhelmed by the volley of attacks and collapses to the floor in a crumpled heap. But before the Black Knight can finish him, a small ring of fire develops around him. He looks up at the Black Knight, eyes flaming. "What makes you think you will succeed this time? After all, blind faith did not work the first time you attempted to slay me..."
Blaze rises, now fully enveloped in flames. With rage to match the Black Knight's, Blaze yells and tackles him in a burst of flames.
OOC: I'm thinking Blaze is a bit of a cross between Red Hulk and Prof. Hulk. Red Hulk because if he gets too angry he'll overheat (which is happening now), and Prof. because if he gets too angry (or loses contact with the full moon), he reverts to mad human form (which already happened).
{JAMMERS! -RuleJJ- ONLY!} Hmm, I like this. Just a quick question (although perhaps I'm not supposed to know the answer yet). Why did the Black Knight attack them?
OOC: Yes, he is.
IC: The Black Knight drops the sword as they begin to wrestle. "As I recall, it was your lack of faith that proved your undoing the last time, Hunter. You should have stood by me as you always had. True leaders are made, not born. I will not have everything that is mine taken from me!"
Alpida lurches to her feet and rushes over to them. Seeing the situation and not wanting to harm the Black Knight, she forgoes a weapon and kicks at Blaze with any openings she can find.
{JAMMERS! -yisrael2- ONLY!} Since you asked me not to tell you, I'll hold off for now. It does have to do with the man Gethin whom the Black Knight mentioned.
OOC: Sorry for my inactivity; I'll try to be more active. I forgot - is Blaze in human form or wolf form?
IC: "You lie!" Blaze kicks away from him, snatching the Black Knight's sword from the ground. His attempt to bring it down on the Black Knight is foiled by a kick from Alpida, sending him sprawling, sword skittering away. He stomps the ground in agitation. It trembles ever so slightly.
Beaming sighs. "Say whatever it is you're tryin' to say."
"Anders. Look, there's a lot I don't know about 'im, but I do know 'e's been a soldier all 'is life."
"Are you insane?" shouts one of the men Tasha doesn't recognize. "We just fought a war against him!"
The other man with him hisses and holds up a hand to silence him as the sound bounces off the stone walls. "Quiet, fool."
"Thank ya, Coldgleam," says Beaming, "But Laggard's right, Wymond. That's a terrible idea, and ya know it."
Planted nudges her shoulder. "Hold up. The Finger's got something to say." They all turn to look at the stout woman, who shrugs and nods over her right shoulder. For a moment, everyone is silent.
"Alright, then," Beaming says through a frown. "Looks like we're takin' you to the Fist to present your case." The soldiers surround Tasha and Tall Wymond and begin walking them down the left-hand tunnel. Murmur, Planted, and the long-faced man stay behind to guard the intersection.
As they walk, Tall Wymond looks down at Beaming. "Thanks, Hil. We -."
"Stop. I told ya before. If ya want to talk to me, ya call me Beaming. And this whole thing, whatever, you're tryin' to do, is a bad idea. But I guess it makes your priorities pretty clear, doesn't it?" Tall Wymond looks away and doesn't speak again.
The soldiers take them through the tunnels. There are other soldiers patrolling, and eventually they are taken through a group of them into a large room packed with people. These appear to be civilians, and some look at Tasha and Tall Wymond curiously. The soldiers stop here as a couple of them head into another side tunnel and disappear from sight.
IC: The Black Knight drops the sword as they begin to wrestle. "As I recall, it was your lack of faith that proved your undoing the last time, Hunter. You should have stood by me as you always had. True leaders are made, not born. I will not have everything that is mine taken from me!"
Alpida lurches to her feet and rushes over to them. Seeing the situation and not wanting to harm the Black Knight, she forgoes a weapon and kicks at Blaze with any openings she can find.
{JAMMERS! -yisrael2- ONLY!} Since you asked me not to tell you, I'll hold off for now. It does have to do with the man Gethin whom the Black Knight mentioned.
OOC: Sorry for my inactivity; I'll try to be more active. I forgot - is Blaze in human form or wolf form?
IC: "You lie!" Blaze kicks away from him, snatching the Black Knight's sword from the ground. His attempt to bring it down on the Black Knight is foiled by a kick from Alpida, sending him sprawling, sword skittering away. He stomps the ground in agitation. It trembles ever so slightly.
OOC: It's okay. We're all busy. I think he's human. The last change I could find was from wolf to human.
IC: Alpida attempts to tackle Blaze while the Black Knight retrieves his sword. "Enough! Alpida, it is time we put down this beast."
OOC: Sorry for my inactivity; I'll try to be more active. I forgot - is Blaze in human form or wolf form?
IC: "You lie!" Blaze kicks away from him, snatching the Black Knight's sword from the ground. His attempt to bring it down on the Black Knight is foiled by a kick from Alpida, sending him sprawling, sword skittering away. He stomps the ground in agitation. It trembles ever so slightly.
OOC: It's okay. We're all busy. I think he's human. The last change I could find was from wolf to human.
IC: Alpida attempts to tackle Blaze while the Black Knight retrieves his sword. "Enough! Alpida, it is time we put down this beast."
OOC: Makes sense.
IC: Blaze grabs either side of her head and presses his forehead against hers, staring intently into her eyes, attempting to show her...everything. A cone of fire surrounds them, but the Black Knight could still see most of what's happening.
The Black Knight burns himself slightly when he touches his sword.
The soldiers take them through the tunnels. There are other soldiers patrolling, and eventually they are taken through a group of them into a large room packed with people. These appear to be civilians, and some look at Tasha and Tall Wymond curiously. The soldiers stop here as a couple of them head into another side tunnel and disappear from sight.
Tasha looks around slightly stunned. She had not expected to see this many people when they first interred the tunnels.
OOC: It's okay. We're all busy. I think he's human. The last change I could find was from wolf to human.
IC: Alpida attempts to tackle Blaze while the Black Knight retrieves his sword. "Enough! Alpida, it is time we put down this beast."
OOC: Makes sense.
IC: Blaze grabs either side of her head and presses his forehead against hers, staring intently into her eyes, attempting to show her...everything. A cone of fire surrounds them, but the Black Knight could still see most of what's happening.
The Black Knight burns himself slightly when he touches his sword.
Harnessing the magic that has been invested in him and channeling it through Alpida's abilities of insight, Blaze is able to deliver to her a series of visions. He shows her the aftermath of the Black Knight's expedition to slay the manticore along with his chosen warriors.
They see one of those warriors, a man called Gethin, step forward to give a pronouncement. Gethin explains how he learned recently of his family history and how he is a descendant of the long-ago king of the Shadow Kingdom, and therefore the rightful heir to the mantle of the Black Knight. Outraged, the Black Knight lashes out and a fight erupts. Most of the warriors align with Gethin, but some take the side of the Black Knight. Blaze hesitates momentarily but chooses to remain loyal to his ruler. The fighting is fierce, and by the end of it only Blaze and the Black Knight remain standing, both wounded. The Black Knight's words echo in Alpida's mind. "I cannot lead my people with anything but total loyalty. I saw your hesitation, Blaze. Word of these events can never reach the Shadow Kingdom." Blaze pledges his eternal loyalty, promising to never speak of what happened. "I wish that were enough," says the Black Knight. And he cuts Blaze down, leaving him among the rest of the fallen warriors. The subsequent events, wherein Blaze is saved and receives his gift, are shown as well.
As the vision ends, Alpida rears back in shock, speechless.
Behind them, the Black Knight ignores the pain and lunges in to finally strike down Blaze in his moment of distraction. But Alpida stands between them, and even in her stunned state she is able to block the blow. "I trusted you," she whispers.
The soldiers take them through the tunnels. There are other soldiers patrolling, and eventually they are taken through a group of them into a large room packed with people. These appear to be civilians, and some look at Tasha and Tall Wymond curiously. The soldiers stop here as a couple of them head into another side tunnel and disappear from sight.
Tasha looks around slightly stunned. She had not expected to see this many people when they first interred the tunnels.
Tall Wymond is still quiet. Before too long, the soldiers return and Tasha and Tall Wymond are led through that side tunnel, their escort slightly diminished due to the small space. They pass straight through a four-way intersection to enter a smaller room where a large table is set up, leaving the space rather cramped. Two men stand behind the table. One Tasha recognizes as Dalibor, leader of the Hand, and the other is an unfamiliar, serious-faced man in a uniform of the Shadow Warriors.
"Make this quick," says Dalibor. "As long as you harm no one here, you will not be harmed, but we have little time for distractions."
IC: Blaze grabs either side of her head and presses his forehead against hers, staring intently into her eyes, attempting to show her...everything. A cone of fire surrounds them, but the Black Knight could still see most of what's happening.
The Black Knight burns himself slightly when he touches his sword.
Harnessing the magic that has been invested in him and channeling it through Alpida's abilities of insight, Blaze is able to deliver to her a series of visions. He shows her the aftermath of the Black Knight's expedition to slay the manticore along with his chosen warriors.
They see one of those warriors, a man called Gethin, step forward to give a pronouncement. Gethin explains how he learned recently of his family history and how he is a descendant of the long-ago king of the Shadow Kingdom, and therefore the rightful heir to the mantle of the Black Knight. Outraged, the Black Knight lashes out and a fight erupts. Most of the warriors align with Gethin, but some take the side of the Black Knight. Blaze hesitates momentarily but chooses to remain loyal to his ruler. The fighting is fierce, and by the end of it only Blaze and the Black Knight remain standing, both wounded. The Black Knight's words echo in Alpida's mind. "I cannot lead my people with anything but total loyalty. I saw your hesitation, Blaze. Word of these events can never reach the Shadow Kingdom." Blaze pledges his eternal loyalty, promising to never speak of what happened. "I wish that were enough," says the Black Knight. And he cuts Blaze down, leaving him among the rest of the fallen warriors. The subsequent events, wherein Blaze is saved and receives his gift, are shown as well.
As the vision ends, Alpida rears back in shock, speechless.
Behind them, the Black Knight ignores the pain and lunges in to finally strike down Blaze in his moment of distraction. But Alpida stands between them, and even in her stunned state she is able to block the blow. "I trusted you," she whispers.
Fiery tears flow from Blaze's eyes as he remembers his lost brethren. After all, he himself could barely recall the past events until now. He collapses to his knees. "I am no traitor, Elf...it is you who betrayed us..." With newfound vigor,( now that he remembers everything) Blaze rises to his feet to aid Alpida in her clash against the Black Knight. He pauses though, glancing up at the sky...
Tasha looks around slightly stunned. She had not expected to see this many people when they first interred the tunnels.
Tall Wymond is still quiet. Before too long, the soldiers return and Tasha and Tall Wymond are led through that side tunnel, their escort slightly diminished due to the small space. They pass straight through a four-way intersection to enter a smaller room where a large table is set up, leaving the space rather cramped. Two men stand behind the table. One Tasha recognizes as Dalibor, leader of the Hand, and the other is an unfamiliar, serious-faced man in a uniform of the Shadow Warriors.
"Make this quick," says Dalibor. "As long as you harm no one here, you will not be harmed, but we have little time for distractions."
Tasha smiles nervously at the two men behind the table.
Harnessing the magic that has been invested in him and channeling it through Alpida's abilities of insight, Blaze is able to deliver to her a series of visions. He shows her the aftermath of the Black Knight's expedition to slay the manticore along with his chosen warriors.
They see one of those warriors, a man called Gethin, step forward to give a pronouncement. Gethin explains how he learned recently of his family history and how he is a descendant of the long-ago king of the Shadow Kingdom, and therefore the rightful heir to the mantle of the Black Knight. Outraged, the Black Knight lashes out and a fight erupts. Most of the warriors align with Gethin, but some take the side of the Black Knight. Blaze hesitates momentarily but chooses to remain loyal to his ruler. The fighting is fierce, and by the end of it only Blaze and the Black Knight remain standing, both wounded. The Black Knight's words echo in Alpida's mind. "I cannot lead my people with anything but total loyalty. I saw your hesitation, Blaze. Word of these events can never reach the Shadow Kingdom." Blaze pledges his eternal loyalty, promising to never speak of what happened. "I wish that were enough," says the Black Knight. And he cuts Blaze down, leaving him among the rest of the fallen warriors. The subsequent events, wherein Blaze is saved and receives his gift, are shown as well.
As the vision ends, Alpida rears back in shock, speechless.
Behind them, the Black Knight ignores the pain and lunges in to finally strike down Blaze in his moment of distraction. But Alpida stands between them, and even in her stunned state she is able to block the blow. "I trusted you," she whispers.
Fiery tears flow from Blaze's eyes as he remembers his lost brethren. After all, he himself could barely recall the past events until now. He collapses to his knees. "I am no traitor, Elf...it is you who betrayed us..." With newfound vigor,( now that he remembers everything) Blaze rises to his feet to aid Alpida in her clash against the Black Knight. He pauses though, glancing up at the sky...
Alpida notices his glance. "Can you stop this?"
"He obviously has no control!" shouts the Black Knight. "You are angry, Alpida, but ask yourself: who is the greater threat here?"
Tall Wymond is still quiet. Before too long, the soldiers return and Tasha and Tall Wymond are led through that side tunnel, their escort slightly diminished due to the small space. They pass straight through a four-way intersection to enter a smaller room where a large table is set up, leaving the space rather cramped. Two men stand behind the table. One Tasha recognizes as Dalibor, leader of the Hand, and the other is an unfamiliar, serious-faced man in a uniform of the Shadow Warriors.
"Make this quick," says Dalibor. "As long as you harm no one here, you will not be harmed, but we have little time for distractions."
Tasha smiles nervously at the two men behind the table.
Tall Wymond takes a deep breath. "Whatever you were expectin' to fight 'ere, it's changed. There's chaos outside, and I'm pretty sure none of you 'ave any better idea what's goin' on 'ere than I do. You need all the 'elp you can get, and you 'ave a man 'ere in your dungeon with more experience in war than anyone else in the Hand. Anders -- erm, Azad -- 'as been a soldier 'is whole life. Use that." He half-smiles, awkwardly. "Um, that's . . . that's it."
"So, what?" says Dalibor, "You came here to try to get your friend free, and this is the best you could come up with? Jawless, put them with the refugees. Make sure Flintedge knows they're not to leave."
Would Tasha like to do anything before they are escorted out?
