|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 19, 2009 23:35:57 GMT -5
Lárus walked down the streets of úrkula vonar, one hand never leaving the hilt of his rapier, the other hanging loosely by his side. The streets were bad enough by day, but at night, when the moon was hidden behind the clouds and the cracked cobblestones were slick with recent rainfall ... who knew what could happen. Of course, he had grown up here. He knew everyone by name, had been raised beside most of them ... he had tasted every whore's lips and had crossed blades with every wandering scoundrel. They all liked him, he knew. And here in úrkula vonar it was almost a rule not to bring harm to one's own. Of course, that didn't mean he would trust them with his life. During the day, at least there was life. Now there was nothing but moonlight and death. A cat pounced on a mouse not far away, and the mouse let loose one last high-pitched cry before it died. The tiny body of a child was curled up in the corner of an alleyway and had begun to stink, but no one had dared move it for fear of catching the terrible disease that had killed her. He hated it, he hated all of it. He wanted out, but there was really no way out. Once born in úrkula vonar, you belonged to it, heart and soul. No matter how high you climbed you would always find yourself back on your ass once more in its streets, before the end. That was the way it worked. And Lárus ... well, Lárus just wanted to marry a rich woman and live to be a ripe middle age with grandchildren to bounce on his knee. He didn't care if the cursed demons of his past came and dragged him back to the abyss of his childhood home when on his deathbed ... as long as for the few years of his life he knew freedom and comfort. Footsteps behind him. He was being followed. His hand tightened on his rapier, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 14:46:23 GMT -5
Not one, but two steps of footsteps hit the damp cobblestones. One was striding along quickly, an extended walk, while the other was jogging. A voice, no longer concerned with keeping quite, split through the night, "Get back here, damn it all!"
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 27, 2009 14:49:38 GMT -5
Lárus spun on his heel, his rapier slid from his scabbard and was in his hand quicker than could be seen.
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 14:54:00 GMT -5
A rush of air whipped past Larus as someone-moving fast-darted past him. Another was coming on fast-evidentally the two had ceased any efforts to keep quiet. The second man, still behind the first, was running with a drawn blade, face twisted up in rage. "Damn it, Kozovia, get back here! Get back-" the man, small and slight, tripped on a cobblestone and hit the ground with alarming force. A new burst of swearing decorated the night air. Fortunantly, the steel had flown wide, hitting the stones with a clatter. "Bastard son of a-I dont want to do this any more than you want me to do it! But it's going to happen, becuase it's more than my life is worth to go back-!"
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 27, 2009 14:56:04 GMT -5
Lárus wasn't quite sure how to react. He would be more alarmed, perhaps, if he thought that the two men were coming after him. However, they seemed more occupied with each other at the moment. He kept his rapier in hand, but an amused smile graced his lips.
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 14:58:10 GMT -5
The prey-having noticed it's predator was occupied with the buisness of peeling himself off the stones-had stopped running, turned, and was warily approaching a few steps, drawing level with Larus. "Of course I dont want you to do it, you silly man. And it's Kozova, not Kozovia. If you're going to kill a man, you might do him the honor of getting his last name right."
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 27, 2009 15:03:01 GMT -5
Kozova, now there's a strange name, Lárus mused. It didn't ring of either Evenspell or Sarundell. The man in front of him didn't look like he was local, either. Lárus had never seen him before, or heard such an accent, for that matter.
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 15:10:16 GMT -5
Evidentally relieved that there was no more reason to flee-the persuer was yet to get off the cobblestones, and his blade was five feet away-the prey put his hands on his hips, relaxing again. "When you're finished making a fool of yourself, you might notice we have an audience." At this, the man on the cobblestones sputtered indignantly and finally managed to crawl into something resembling a crouch. He stayed there, attempting to catch his breath. His prey grinned, then spun on his heel to face Larus.
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 27, 2009 15:17:25 GMT -5
Lárus's gripped tightened on his rapier as the stranger stood facing him. He executed a quick, sharp greeting. "Good evening, vinur."
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 15:20:43 GMT -5
Said stranger grinned at this rather curt greeting, bringing his hand up to shove back a truely ridiculous amount of brilliant red hair. "Good welcome, indeed. I'm sorry if my companion disturbed your peaceful walk, but he's convinced he has a score to settle." "Damn right I do, Guen Kozova, if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth." "We're already at world's end, fool, so give up." Guen's tone cooled noticably.
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 27, 2009 15:23:35 GMT -5
"No trouble," Lárus replied, glancing at the man sprawled out gracelessly on the cobblestones. "I don't often come out after dark. I think this is why."
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 27, 2009 15:26:12 GMT -5
"If it is the case, I could not agree with you more." Guen walked away a few steps, then kicked the shortsword so it skittered across the ground, bounced, and landed with a dismal clang in a gutter. "I dont suppose you could point me in the direction of a place to spend the night?"
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 29, 2009 20:19:48 GMT -5
Lárus frowned, considering for a moment. Finally, he said, "The only tavern for miles would be the Dimma Sinnum, it's barely a short walk away, but I wouldn't advise it to anyone who wanted to keep their purses and their throats."
|
|
shutterfly
New Member
...and why does she hide her face behind the mask?
Posts: 16
|
Post by shutterfly on Mar 29, 2009 20:29:06 GMT -5
"Ah, I was afraid of that...bedding on the rooftops isn't the best way to pass the night. Most kind of you, milord...?"
|
|
|
Post by Mary Blithe on Mar 29, 2009 20:30:56 GMT -5
"Lárus," he replied, without thinking much about it. Normally he didn't like to give out his name to strangers, much less foreigners, but for some reason he could not keep it in. The stranger didn't seem threatening. He somehow seemed harmless, which should have been all the more reason for him to have caution.
|
|