With his conversation with the good Captain done and plans made, the Inheritor straightened his coat and looked out of the window, checking the reflection in it. Yes, he was presented as usual. Everything was perfectly detailed. The hair was sculpted correctly, the uniform crisp and the expression cold and detached. Just the impression that he needed to give. He left his office and locked it, then Jaden summoned his guard. Despite the presence of several competent individuals, he was not wiling to be without his own personal guard in case they were called elsewhere. It paid to be prepared. Which I wasn't at Sky Tower. In future, self-destruct mechanisms will be installed into facilities in order to deny them to the enemy. Jaden and his troops marched swiftly to the cells where they were met with the sight of Aster on his kneels before his sister, nursing a wound. She looked infuriated, and seemed to be glaring intently at him. His mouth curled into a half smile. So, someone has earned Carissa's ire. Somehow I think that she will have a battle of wills that she will not easily win. May she not give into his undoubtedly incessant flirting. "Get off the floor Surananayan. We have an interrogation to conduct." He barked. He glanced at Carissa, who nodded and gestured for him to get up. He looked to the complement of guards he had with him. "Four outside the cell block, two outside the cell and two inside the cell with us. No risks. This is Jayce's famed assassin we're dealing with. Carissa, open the door." Carissa nodded submissively at Jaden's orders and approached the cell door. She looked inside through the window and noticed something - That she wasn't in sight. She couldn't actually see her. "Prisoner is out of sight." She reported. "Expect an ambush or escape attempt. Don't let her do so. And someone bring us better restraints." "That won't be necessary. Just ensure that she doesn't escape." Carissa nodded, not daring to question Jaden's orders. She hit the opening mechanism and the door swung open. The Huntress stepped inside and scanned the corners for any sign of her. Her hand immediately went for one of her knives, the one that Zahariel had picked up for her in one of his more charitable moods.
Their new friends were getting upset, understandably so. It would have all been avoided if they hadn't brought the idea of them returning to the human world and just leaving them alone. Alessia looked at all of them, backing up slightly. They were getting violent now, and despite the wolf-girl's attempts at calming the situation it wasn't going to last long unless someone could get through to them with a good explanation. She didn't have one. She had no idea who these SMRF people were, only that they were doing something that was far beyond her knowledge and understanding. "We don't know, we're just as confused as you are." She snapped back. She was ready to leap into action in an instant if they tried anything. Nobody else was going to get killed on her watch. He blinked at the woman's blatantly flirtatious attitude. She was nothing like he had ever seen before. He didn't think these sorts of people existed anywhere. However, she did point out a major issue. The files he was looking for probably were sealed away somewhere. Why he thought he could just get them by asking for them he didn't know. Their security obviously wasn't that good though. He just found a way through. He thought about Johanna, how it might be a little dishonest to her, but she didn't need to know anything and this was for her anyway. He had to try to track down her family somehow and if this woman was the way to do it then so be it. Within reason of course. He looked around. Nope, nobody from the guild here. Maybe he could figure something out here without being dishonest. He'd have to see. "Depends what you're looking for." Dale said with a sly wink, leaning against the partition. Totally got her. Yeah. He wasn't presented with overly positive options. He had to either go with Shani, which would be awkward as hell or a pile of people that he didn't know. Oh, and Zephyros. But he was out of the question anyway. "Shani, I suppose that I shall accompany you." That and its the least likely place for Thea to go and she doesn't want me around and I don't want to be caught up in another domestic while we're actually doing something. It occurred to him that he hadn't been paying all that much attention to what was going on at the moment, only that they were going down the pipeworks for some reason. What was happening with Thea, and Conrad, and his own emotional insecurity had taken him far, far off track.
Aston felt the wolf's teeth biting deeply into his sides. He roared in pain at the beast that came from his left side, totally unexpectedly. He should have kept a better watch. Losing his situational awareness in the middle of a battle was not the right example to give to the new recruits. Well, maybe they'll learn what not to do. I hope someone here knows a thing or two about medicine or I'm in trouble. "Oh no you don't!" Aston snarled as the Alpha wolf backed away from him. He was going to finish that damn thing off. He leapt after it and struck with his short sword towards the beast and noticed that Kevin was running up to the wolf that just took a bite of out his side. He twirled and sliced it with his longer blade. Die damn you. Aston moved 2 hexes left to be in the middle of the Alpha Wolf and BB Wolf (1 AP) Aston used Arming Sword Strike on Biggest Baddest Wolf Wolf (5 AP) Aston used Shortsword Strike on Alpha Wolf (4AP) The first wolf was utterly ruined by his attack and to dodge past the second felt good. It was like his reflexes that had been off his entire life had finally kicked in and he stepped neatly away from the lunging wolf with the slathering jaws. He grinned at it. "Feel the justice of the order!" Kellan cried before striking again with the Radiant Sword. After that, Kellan sprinted towards the larger fight. They probably needed him! Kellan used Longsword Strike on Big Bad Wolf 01 (5 AP) Kellan ran four spaces vertically (4 AP)[DOUBLEPOST=1457264698][/DOUBLEPOST] "You are most welcome, Sanderson." Aedan replied in as regal and powerful a voice as he could muster. A voice befitting of the so called 'God of Dragonfruits'. He didn't even know what a Dragonfruit was. With the crazy now considerably dialled back, he was able to enjoy their walk through the Everwood. There was a certain comfort in being amongst the trees with the sounds of birds and other animals around them after the madness that had been the trip so far. Once they arrived at Fordington, he sighed and mentally prepared himself for more insanity. He wrapped his robes around him a little more to try to preserve warmth in the cold northern air. At least the town looked pleasant and quite quaint. Primarily wood with the occasional stone structure, glowing with a homely light. This place felt comfortable. "Well, let us get inside. Or something. It's cold out here, and we might be able to find out a bit about these Drakes from the townspeople." Maybe they'd be more normal here. Maybe. At least that Night Knight character wouldn't have followed them.
Derrick frowned at the scent of blood from upstairs. Inside, tables and chairs were upturned as people had fled in a panic. There was nothing down here. Derrick approached the stairs and began to walk up, keeping his senses alert to anything that may come. Veera spoke up at this point, just a little behind him. He looked at her seriously. "Trust me, Vyle wouldn't do anything to that woman. He busted his ass trying to rescue her, he's not exactly going to try and gobble up her blood is he?" He answered. Besides, the impression he got was that he was a man of justice. He had made enemies of Solomon and Bryce, two people utterly abhorrent to all those with morals. Sure, it might not have been common in vampire, but they had the same capacity as humans to be creatures that held a sense of right and wrong. In that sense, Vyle was more human than many humans. That comparison seemed unfair, but this wasn't the time for philosophy. As he approached their room, he heard the light tap of footsteps, a familiar gait. He knew exactly who would be inside. "It's him. Don't do anything rash, he's a friend." Derrick stepped into the room. His eyes widened in surprise. It was a mess in here. There were clear signs of a struggle but luckily his things hadn't be disturbed where he left them. "Looks like there was a fight here. Any idea where your friend is Vyle?" Derrick began to collect up the blankets and other items he had left on the floor. "Telling him that you hoped you never met him again..." Alanna sighed, shaking her head. She looked at the Doppler. "That was easily one of the worst things you could have said. Has anyone told you that you are the absolute undisputed master of talking to people?" As far as she was concerned then they could have nearly caused a fight between the two of them. She hadn't expected much out of the other man's attitude but Adolin did next to nothing to help the situation. Luckily, the woman that accompanied him was probably smart enough to work it out between her and Alanna to prevent their respective companions butchering each other. That was entirely down to the Witcher's decision. She was glad that he chose not to make a scene. "Yes, that was a bad idea but what do you expect from me? It was hard enough for me to speak to him at all, let alone try not to fight him." Adolin protested. He hated it when she got like this. There was no arguing with her. He realised that it was a mistake as soon as he responded. Luckily, she simply sighed again and turned away. His face and his ears would be safe - For now. "Well, where now?" Adolin put a hand on his chin and considered her question. Oxenfurt and the University were now out of the question for getting explosive compounds. The next best place to check was Novigrad. With a bit of luck, the King hadn't actually found out about what happened and he could slip through relatively unnoticed. Of course, the best disguise would be to take up the guise of Carrak of Cintra. A Witcher was the last person they would expect to be a Doppler. "Novigrad." Adolin stated as he donned the face of Carrak of Cintra once more. "Alanna, open the portal." And she did. The two of them stepped through, arriving at the outskirts of the city.
"Yes Zahariel, I am well aware of the policy of not touching the mysterious artifacts. Although, how we're going to get them here without having you disappear when we may well need you is another mystery. No matter, we shall figure that out when it becomes relevant." Jaden smiled at the request to know about AVENGER. He could disclose a little more about it to Zahariel. "Initially, it was just a personal project. Now it's a little more important. I'm working on tying it into to certain plans I'm putting together. That reminds me..." He had to have a word with one of his men before the interrogation. They needed to organise something for almost immediately afterwards. If he knew Jayce, then he had a perfect plan in mind. "I'll seek you out if anything is required for the interrogation. This concludes our business for now, we shall meet another time if there is anything else pressing." Jaden stood up and walked to the door to both open it for Zahariel and speak to the man outside. If the God took an affront to his perhaps brusque cut off to the meeting then it didn't bother the Inheritor overly much. Just because he was divine did not mean that Jaden was beholden to his every whim. Fortunately he tended to be more reserved than that. "Captain, a word if I may. There's something I need you to organise for me." Kalak followed Jayce back to the Valiant. It seemed that his assistant wasn't having very much success getting to him. He wasn't surprised. Jayce wasn't ever going to be responsive in one of those moods. He'd probably mention something about the blatant neglect of his assistant. "At times like this, you're going to have problems. My dear Uncle gets very moody." Kalak spoke. As if on cue, he called everyone to the bridge. He rolled his eyes and started to head for the bridge. However, he heard a booming voice somewhere nearby. That was something he was not willing to ignore. "Tell Uncle that I'll be there shortly." Kalak strode through the corridors of the ship towards the booming voice. Something about a son? Then, he arrived in the room with a giant hologram and a total stranger. "Well this is... Interesting." The Demi-God spoke.
Alanna chuckled at the girl accompanying the Witcher. Her lightness was an amusing juxtaposition to the two very intense individuals that she was accompanying. It was kind of a relief to see someone with a sense of humour. With everything that had been happening recently, it was a welcome change to well, everything. "Huh, so you've got a companion who's awfully tense too? Glad to see I'm not the only one." She smiled genuinely at Treasa, before flicking her eyes back to Adolin. He was opening his mouth, and closing it. Oh no, this is going to be bad. She did the only thing that she could think of doing to help him. Alanna stepped close and clasped his right hand which she could see was moving for a sword. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him. "Adolin, the Witcher." The Doppler felt a warm sensation on his right hand. Looking right, it was Alanna and she was... Holding his hand? He was surprised by the gesture, and it threw him off. With her reminder, it was enough to manage the words out. He looked back at the man that he did not know. "Te- Tell the other Witchers inside... One of you has fallen." Adolin spoke as levelly as he could. "He had a sister. Tell his friends. Tell them to find her. Tell them that a madman is coming for her, and for them. The madman responsible for all of this." He nodded to Alastar and began to walk down the path. He had to get away from this situation before it got out of hand. He didn't know how long he could keep this up. He stopped again and looked around at the Witcher. "I hope our paths never cross again, Witcher." This time, his distaste was palpable. Not that he would understand. Not that he would know. That man would never understand the true extent of his hatred. His hatred that could be free. His hatred that no longer was shackled by sympathy for family. Alanna tugged his arm and began to lead him away while his blood boiled. "Hey, Vyle doesn't drink blood. At least, I think so. That woman isn't food at any rate." Derrick said, trying to clarify that. He wasn't sure whether Veera was joking or not. She wouldn't know about the fact that they had met before. "And Vec, don't worry. I don't intend to die here. And thanks, I'll need this" Derrick immediately downed one of the two doses of Swallow he was given and pocketed the other one and the oil. After the brief exchange, Derrick made his way towards the inn. The city was a picture of chaos for sure, but it seemed that it was calming down just a little. The Witcher was able to slip through the city relatively unnoticed. In the haze of smoke and movement, he was just another face in a crowd of fleeing people. The occasional scream echoed nearby, but he forced himself not to be pulled into anything. He couldn't afford it. Eventually, he reached the inn. A pair of men were standing there, one of which was taking a knife to the rope that was tying his horse to the post. He sighed. He should have expected it really. "Get away from my horse!" Derrick shouted drawing his blade. Nothing from the medallion, definitely humans. His yellow eyes glowered viciously at the two would-be thieves. "Or do you want to start something that you won't finish?" He raised an eyebrow. The two men looked at him. Their eyes were wide and desperate. Instead of running like he hoped, they decided to stand and fight. "It's the end of our world mate! The crowds are coming, there's nothing for it" "Yeah, you going to stop us? There's two of us you dumb sh*t!" Derrick sighed emphatically. "I'm a Witcher. Enough said." It seemed that they weren't going to back down. He felt bad about what was going to happen next. It was over as quickly as he expected. The man with the knife rushed him, only to find a whirling blade that split his stomach open. He collapsed to the floor with a sickening wet gasp. His friend hesitated when he struck with the club that he was carrying. Even if he hadn't, the strike would have missed. His throat was cut with deadly precision and he collapsed, dead instantly. The man on his knees attempted to hold his intestines inside. Derrick shook his head and stabbed him in the heart from behind. The opportunist fell on to the floor with his face on the muddy ground. Derrick wiped his sword off on the cloth of the second man's shirt and sheathed his sword. He patted his horse affectionately and headed inside to collect his things.
"Alright then you little doggie b*stard I'll make you into a nice wall decoration!" Kellan declared as he launched into action. Kellan channelled his magic and Blinked, appearing in a flash next to the Big Bad Wolf beside him. The Knight of the Radiant Sword gave it a wolfish smile, appropriate for his enemy really, then activated his blade. Radiance, the Radiant Sword itself, glowed with an inner light all of a sudden. It seemed entirely wrong in his hands, seeing as the sallow faced man wielded a weapon of holy majesty despite looking more like a brigand, but he wielded it with pride worthy of any knight. "Fall before the light of the Radiant Sword you mangy curs!" With a mighty war cry, Kellan brought the weapon down upon his foe and blasted a beam of light towards its companion that sent his long and unkempt hair fluttering behind him. It would have looked positively heroic on someone else. He held his sword out in front, ready to hold back anything that came. Kellan used Blink (-1 AP, - 4 Mana) to the hex beneath the bottom most Big Bad Wolf Then, he activates The Radiant Sword (-0 AP, - 4 Mana) Kellan uses Longsword Strike on the Big Bad Wolf adjecent to him (-5 AP) Kellan adopts a defensive stance (-3 AP) 0/9 AP remaining, 5/13 Mana remaining. Meanwhile, Aston saw the Alpha Wolf near him. It seemed to be hanging back, waiting for an opportune moment to strike at a weaker prey. He shook his head. Like hell that was going to happen. He stepped forwards boldly, twirling his twin blades. Let's get to work. First, he struck out with his arming sword in his right hand, the blade flashing silver as it leapt forwards towards the snarling beast. Immediately, Aston twisted and the shorter blade lunged in for blood. He twirled once more, the shortsword once again seeking its mark. Move forward/down one hex (-1 AP) Arming Sword Strike (-5 AP) Shortsword Strike (-4 AP) At some point around here Exploit Weakness Proc'd (-2 AP on next attack) Consecutive Shortsword Strike (-3 AP) 0/11 AP remaining.
Whoever one of the impersonators was, they sure weren't the average Doppler. They moved simply better. Bryce obviously had some obvious technique errors that was reflected in the others, whereas that one had cleaner movements and moved quicker. He decided that it was the one to focus on. However, he couldn't do anything at the moment. He didn't fancy a sword fight with a proper opponent for the moment while his arm was out of action and he didn't buy his chances. Annoyingly, they beheaded his Axii'd Doppler neatly. He took out his crossbow and waited for an opportune moment. They stopped for a moment and he took a quick look. It seemed that Vyle really did have Bryce covered. Derrick didn't stop to see what he presumed to be the original Bryce's fate play out, but instead took a shot at the highly competent one as it disengaged. The others seemed to follow the same pattern, fleeing for their lives. Derrick reloaded the crossbow and shot one of them down as they fled, a crossbow bolt buried in the back of their skull. By then, the others had made it into the alleyways. "Let's get out of this damn city already." Derrick spoke. He was about to start heading out so that he could return to the Kaer, but then it hit him. "All the stuff I brought with me is at the inn. I'm heading back there. You two can come with, or leave. I'll catch up with you somewhere down the line." He walked towards where he vaguely remembered the inn being. As far as he remembered, it couldn't have been too far out of town either. Their route through the sewers in the abandoned warehouse nearby couldn't have taken long to travel, meaning that there was a way out near enough that way. There was probably a bridge or something nearby. "Looks like some of us had the good sense to get out of there." Adolin remarked as they headed towards the refugee camp. On the way in, he spotted the unmistakable medallion of a Witcher, accompanied by a girl. The knowledge of Carrak of Cintra informed him that this was a man of the Bear School, and he certainly matched the look- Heavily armoured and heavily armed. He looked to Alanna quickly and she nodded, knowing exactly what he was thinking. He remembered what had happened to the young Witcher that he saw earlier. It was out sympathy for his sister, whoever she may have been, that he was going to do this. He had to know. That way he could tell her what happened to her brother. There was no sense in starting a fight here. He could just walk past, say this, and then things could go back to how they were. He could go back to wanting to kill them. "Alanna, I can't bring myself to start this. Can you, please?" The memories of his family rushed through his head. He tried to move his mouth to communicate, but he couldn't. He felt his chest tense up and a surge of anger as the man walked with seemingly no response to the misery around him. But could he hate this one? No, it didn't look like it. The girl... She was no Witcher. She might have been family. He couldn't hate anyone with a family, but he could say nothing to those cat's eyes. Now that one was here, in front of him, all that he could think of was fear, and hate. "Excuse me, Witcher." Alanna raised her hand to attract his attention. She noticed that there was a girl there with him. She smiled. It seemed that she wasn't the only one following a Witcher around, even if her Witcher was only a part timer and a Doppler. Wait, her Witcher? That wasn't right. Nope. So glad I didn't say that out loud. "There's something we need to tell you." She looked at Adolin. He was staring, his fists clenched and his eyes wide. She could see him trying to stop his mouth from curling into an expression of distaste and contempt. Adolin whatever you do, don't do anything stupid. Please. There's been enough bad about today, we don't need a fight here. Or to anger him. She looked at the Witcher. Not like we'd have much of a chance. I don't know what's up with that girl either. She's armed and looks fighting fit. If she's with a Witcher I don't think she's messing around.
Derrick held back from direct sword fighting for the moment, allowing events to play out in front of him. Axii worked wonders on Bryce and Vyle swept in to deal with him. That took their leader out of the picture.When Veera started carving her way through the crowd, Derrick followed up with some Aard castings to keep the enemy at bay on his side while Vec covered his side. That would make the whole getting out of here thing a lot easier. However, despite his wishes of an easy way out for once in today, they ran into five people impersonating the madman from earlier. Luckily, that meant that they were easy prey for him. He cast the Sign of Axii once more, exploiting their weak minds that were putty in his hands. "This rebellion only causes bloodshed. You have to stop it however you can." He stated, targeting one of them. That would make a traitor in the ranks, a disruption that would see them struck from behind with nothing that they could do, and someone who would try to collect the activists and stop this madness if any were left. With the guise of their leader on, perhaps that Doppler would be able to end this. Not that it would make much difference. Oxenfurt was doomed. At least, the Witcher thought, he could preserve the last straggling lives of this city. "Let that one live!" Hopefully they'd listen and let the one he targeted be.
Bryce seemed to come out a little... Strange. The man was somehow scared by his presence next to him and threw himself out of the wheelbarrow on to the ground and then started referring to him as some sort of God. His first immediate thought was whether or not he had suffered a head injury during his fight with the so called Night Knight. He wasn't wearing a helmet. He fixed his eyes on the man holding himself prostrate as if the druid was some kind of God. He did say Cirtrus God, but what that was about he had no idea. "I don't know which way you wish to learn. The way of the Mother perhaps?" He spoke, giving Sanderson a pleading look as if to say 'Help me, I have no idea what he's going on about'. Aedan offered him his hand. "However, what I do know is that you'll ruin your dressing if you throw yourself around like that in the dirt. Here, let me help you." It would probably be a good idea to keep an eye on his behaviour. He didn't know Bryce well enough to be able to tell whether he was simply strange and always acted that way, or whether he had suffered some injury that had caused this issue. At least he wasn't going to bleed to death or have an infected wound, so there was good news. Even if Aedan was some sort of Citrus God now, which certainly didn't exist. That said, he was talking about a mysterious thing known as a Dragonfruit earlier. Perhaps that had something to do with it? He'd have to go deeper to understand the madness.
Derrick was thankful for the break, but it wasn't positive. He leaned against the wall of the alleyway, nursing his shoulder. However, when Bryce came his eyes were fixed on him and he stood away from the alleyway. This must be the man behind all of this. He marked his face well. In the middle of that huge crowd, he couldn't think of a way to get at him unless... Axii. He smiled and was about to cast the Sign, but then he showed Aaron. Part of Aaron. His head. His hand tightened around the silver blade and his face twisted into an expression of rage. He seemed triumphant, smug about all of this. As if he was some kind of king to be proud over a new conquest. Derrick hated him. He might have been a hired killer, but a kill wasn't a badge of honour. Not of a person. Not of a Doppler as far as he was concerned. Veera took it worse than he did. She screamed and charged, but he was powerless here. "Vyle, grab her!" He shouted to the Vampire who had swooped in suddenly to save them a little earlier. Now, he decided to take action. Focusing on Bryce he drew the sign of Axii and cast it upon him. He could think of only one way to kill the man, and that was with the crowd that surrounded him. "These creatures are your enemies! Slay them all before they slay you!" Hopefully, as soon as he struck the mindless beings would register him as hostile and he would be torn apart. Right now, it was the best vengeance that he could come up with. However, he marked that face. If the plan failed, he would hunt him down personally. And alone. Whoever he might have been, Derrick would not let him claim anyone else. Besides, he probably didn't kill Aaron alone. With his crowd of Dopplers at his command, it would have been easy. There was nothing for him to be proud of.
Aedan felt immediately more comfortable in the Everwood. This place was more familiar to him, as they had taken trips to this specific area to gather some herbs that only grew around here so that they could cultivate them back home. That, and they had visited another village much like his own which resided somewhere in the Everwood, so it felt almost like a second home. Sanderson recounted shortly an attempt to get up the Dragonclaw. Somehow, he was not surprised that they had only made it halfway. There was little vegetation that high up, because very little could survive on those rocky slopes. And it would have become harder to breathe. It would have been more or less impossible to do. Maybe one day, they'd figure out a way to climb the Dragonclaw. Until then, it was a beautiful mountain to look at. "I am trained as a healer. If you stop the barrow a moment I shall take a look." Aedan looked at his injury and it seemed a little grim. He was surprised that he wasn't more seriously wounded, or even dead. It was certainly recoverable. It was a testament to Bryce's incredibly powerful body that he managed to survive that blow, and possibly his armour. Although it did seem odd that he had no helmet all of a sudden. Perhaps that incorrigible fool who called himself the Night Knight stole it. "One moment, there are some herbs that grow here in the Everwood that would help here. Allow me to gather some." Aedan gathered the appropriate herbs whose names he did not know and opened his inventory, bag of holding, bag of convenience bag where he had a few bandages lying around. He rushed back to the injured Bryce. First, he washed the wound with water from somewhere, then crushed the herbs over the wound to release a pungent, stinging liquid and then wrapped another type of herb into the bandage which he wrapped around Bryce. With that done, he looked at Sanderson. "That's the best that I can do with what I have. He should recover in due course. The infusion there should animate his naturally healing processes to acting faster on his internal injurie and the other herbs help with scabbing over for faster closing of the external wound." He explained, putting some vaguely professional sounding medical bollocks to make it sound legit in the post.
"Very well." Vance sighed. He stood up and half turned away from her. He considered making a parting word, or gesture, but at this point it was already too much of a scene for his liking. The Nobleman turned to everyone else. "Well, what's happening? We can get on with the plot now Are we just going to stand here, or are we actually going somewhere?" He folded his arms, trying to pretend that nothing at all had happened to delay them and that they had just been standing around being useless for no particular reason. Dale arrived at the town hall. It was bustling, as one might expect from what was essentially the centre of the town, the hub of all life and activity in the area. He was struck by the lack of magic, even here. Apparently this was one of those places that wizards like him had scarcely touched. With a sword on his belt and a staff in his hand, he probably made quite the bizarre figure. He had no idea how his digging for information was going to go with this in mind. Concerns about his conspicuousness aside, he approached a large, long desk that covered some two thirds of the opposite wall in the centre of the room. It was divided up into small booths with windows that separated the people inquiring from the clerks. Presumably some kind of security precaution. Useless against magic users of course, but what were they to know about that? Someone brushed past him and he stepped into the partitioned off booth that he was in and found him facing a clerk through the window. There was a horrendous amount of paper and various writing implements on his desk and it seemed that a door was behind there, leading to what he assumed was some sort of store of records. "Greetings, I am looking for someone by the name of Johanna. I cannot offer a last name, because I don't know if they have one. I need to know if there is anyone by that name in this town, and if you have any idea where they might have gone." He explained.
Carissa whipped around and kicked Aster in his left cheek, her eyes afire. "Say anything like that again Aster and I will kill you." She threatened, an expression of pure rage etched on her face. "Now stay down there and shut up." There was a tone of finality to her voice. "Very well. I shall send for you if it becomes necessary." Jaden nodded. When Zahariel wrote down the nature of his requests rather than speaking them, his mouth twisted into a half smile. He was very secretive for someone so... Noticeable. Not that there was much he could do about the fact that he was an Ancient God and probably the most magically powerful person in the Shards of Hope. It was good therefore, that he wasn't fond of the Demi-Gods. While Zahariel was not an insurmountable obstacle, he was an inconvenient one. "This room is very well soundproofed. You may speak. Your voice will not carry. Even this window is blacked out and highly reinforced. There won't be any hearing what we are saying." He selected a large report of pages bound together and flipped them open to remind himself. The first few lines of the report were sufficient. "Very well. I've dispatched spare units from the Social Force to investigate the three sites you've described. Angelicasta, Dagath and Hieros are dust, not even ruins seem to persist from what my men have been able to find. They are beginning careful excavations in the areas, but I cannot guarantee you anything." He explained factually. He flipped ahead several pages to the section at the back, taking up around a third of the overall document. "As for your seals... If anything we are encountering setbacks. As you understand, the resources we have available to use on the project are minimal considering the developments necessary for the war. There have been... Breakthroughs in AVENGER. New information, so to speak. Once that has been completed I can redirect the units working on that to breaking your seals. Lack of manpower aside, the spells used to seal you away are impressive. None of my researchers have seen anything of the like. Expect progress to be slow."
When Baldomar reminded him of the Radiant Sword, Kellan's head fell in shame and his hand fell to the battered necklace around his neck. He looked at it longingly, remembering better days when he was the ass of the order, but at least he did things. At least he was able to help people, even if they all hated him and shortchanged him because who the hell wanted to pay some kind of *******, even if he did save their life. He remembered the ideals that they held. He looked up at Baldomar and nodded. "Yeah, you're right Baldy. Damn it, now I feel ashamed of myself for forgetting all of that." He looked up at the bizarre man who he blamed for the cause of many troubles in his life. Including the debt issue. He gave him a smile, but it probably looked like a wolf baring its teeth. "Did you start making sense after the disbanding of our dynamic duo?" With new life set in him, Kellan drew forth his blade. It caught the light through the trees, glittering off the blade which seemed to almost shine. "Come on! We've got someone to save!" The howling got louder and soon they could make out what the alarmed person was shouting. “Help me! They’re going to eat me! Guys? Where are you?” Aston raced on ahead of everyone and flicked out both of his swords. When they arrived, they saw the person in question. He was dressed in a strange uniform and was currently huddled up in a tree, around which a pack of wolves circled. A snarling Alpha Wolf noticed them first and barked quickly to its fellows who bared their teeth at the group. Aston grinned and pointed his blade at it. “Come here you!” He shouted eagerly, rushing towards it. The rest of the pack streamed towards the rest. Kellan was faced with two wolves with a missing eye apiece. They were both big, meaning that they were likely the previous contenders for leader. “Here goes!” He said, setting himself in position. The rest of the pack made a beeline for the rest of the group.
Derrick growled in frustration as the Necromancer escaped, burning, but still gone. The flames it seemed, were not quelling his horde of raised dead. The three of them, the three Witchers were fighting in the centre of a storm. He had no illusions that they would survive this day now. Mighty as they were, surely they could not survive such an onslaught? Nevertheless, Derrick of Kaedwen gritted his teeth against the looming spectre of death. He had to live on. He cut side to side, finding little room now for pirouettes and spins, having to resort to more simple but deadly efficient sword work. He wasn't the fighter that Veera was, with her natural talent nor Veceslav with his experience. He leapt from side to side, covering the backs of his brother and sister in arms where needed. He pushed back the crowds with Aard. When the arrows fell, it was Derrick who cast them away from Veera until she could recover. It was Derrick who cut away the rending hands of the dead men walking when Veceslav fell to one knee and felled those that came to claim his teacher. Those hollow eyes stared at him from every angle. This was not the way he thought he would go out. There was a sickening crunch as an axe crunched into Derrick's right shoulder. He howled and fell to one knee, blasting an Aard to keep the marauding dead back. As he struggled to one knee, he tried to grip his blade to find that his shoulder lit up in agony. He had to bear with it. He had to keep fighting. They had to get out of there, somehow. He pushed them back again with Aard and looked around. An alleyway wasn't too far. Perhaps they could cut through. "Over there, I think I see an alley! Come on, we'll get away through there!" He shouted over the din and pointed to the gap between the buildings. His arm was trembling as it desperately tried to support the sword in his hand. He reasserted his two handed grip and tried to clear his mind. He had to fight. They had to win. Somehow. Adolin and Alanna found Bryce on their wandering through the city. They watched from a distance as he cornered the Witcher and his friend. He felt a sense of satisfaction as the man who was named Raymond died and could only enjoy watching the Witcher fighting for his life. A man with no name, but he looked young. He couldn't have been long inducted into their infernal order. Adolin's entertainment did not last for very long. As they shouted back to one another, it revealed the character of each. And for the duration of that battle, he sympathised with the Witcher. He was here to protect his family, He heard mention of a sister. He has a sister, here in this city. He's trying to protect her. Bryce knows where she is. The struggle to protect his family resonated with the Doppler. Amidst all of the chaos, it was the Witchers who stood to defend the families. He couldn't protect that man who was with him, but he was trying desperately to save anyone that he could by winning here. Alas, it was a failure. There was no noble end for the Witcher. "Satisfied, Adolin?" Snapped Alanna from his side. He looked at her, wearing his disgust on his face. "No, Alanna. I'm not satisfied at all." The Doppler answered with a sombre voice. He looked at the expression of anger that she was wearing on her face to hide what lay below. He knew that what they watched upset her. It didn't exactly make him happy either. "It's a shame it's such a mess in there, we'll never find his sister to warn her." "So there's some warmth in you. Some Witcher slayer you are then." Her icily delivered comment bore more truth than she knew. Adolin remained silent and walked away. There was no sense burying him. At least this way, if they were still alive in there, they'd be able to find the rest of the body. He walked away from the scene now. After that, he didn't feel like trying to kill Witchers today.
Solomon's explanation was horrifying. To think that Veera had done that... Massacred dozens.. He wasn't going to act on that, or hold it against her if he could manage it. At the end of the day, she hadn't hurt him. And if this was what she was trying to stop... Did the ends justify the means here? Even if it failed? Had it succeeded, would it still matter? Of course not. He was a Witcher. His job was to kill monsters, not worry about the morality of things. She did what she thought she had to do and that was that. It was none of his business whether that was right or wrong. Right? Then Solomon turned his words, gaze and attention upon him. He shuddered a little at the look of this strange, depraved man that stood in front of him with the shadowed face. He gritted his teeth. The words frustrated him. Who did he think he was, being so arrogant as to ask for an autograph like some famous performer or actor? This vicious man who considered himself a conductor of murder? His muscles tensed and his grip on his blade tightened. At this range, one lunge forwards and he could crack his skull with the pommel of his sword, but when to time it? Veceslav and Veera were right there and if they didn't help then- Wait, did it matter? It was a sorcerer. He was a Witcher. It wouldn#t be too hard to evisc- Then it hit him. "Get out of my head you son of a *****." Derrick said angrily. He knew mind-affecting spells too well to let that hold him for long. Well, if he wanted a reaction, he was going to get one, but not for the reasons he thought. Derrick's hand flashed into the Igni sign, projecting a wave of flame towards Solomon. "Watch the sides!" He called out as he sprung into action, leaping forwards to tackle the sorcerer...
Vance looked up and shook his head disapprovingly at Conrad. "Keep the sanctimonious prattle to yourself for once Conrad. Not right now." He said, seemingly unfocused on him. He paid more attention to Thea, who he looked at straight in the eyes. "I've made a mistake Thea. But I realise that now, and I see what effect it has. I'm learning to be a parent as I go. I ask that you find it in yourself to forgive me, and allow me to try again." He spoke as honestly as he could. He now had to hope that she understood what he was saying. Damian was coming over now and it was starting to make a bit of a scene. "It's alright Damian we're just finishing up." He replied, looking at Thea.
"Yes, I understand that pride. I too am proud of my difference from the others." He agreed with a nod. Panola, her name was. It too, was a mark of her difference. He returned her handshake was with a firm grip but gentle shake. "That is correct." He couldn't help but notice that she used the same sort of tone as he did. It was strange, but perhaps it was common amongst the quieter folk of Tyrrus. "Not particularly, I'm afraid. I am a simple Druid in training from a quiet village of others of my kind." He replied. "I simply came out to explore the wider world and return with new knowledge and experience and report the changes that have occurred. This place seemed to be the best, because it offers the chance to one day see more than just Tyrrus. What about yourself?"
Okay, we've been deliberating this way too long so I'm going this. Most of the support has been for the F approach, so F it is. "Okay, we're just wasting time now. Baldy, if you're wrong about this then I'm shoving that sign down your throat." Kellan said with his typical politeness and consideration. Whoever that guy was that was looking around for clues here there and everywhere, it was getting really annoying and them nowhere. So yeah. F. He liked that logic. F it was! "Well, I suppose that decides that. I wonder what was down there though." Aston mused to himself before they set off down the path that was revealed to be signposted, F. He couldn't fault the logic really. The path led them deeper into the forest up an incline. It was slight at first, but looking back one could clearly see that they had risen as they went and by now, it felt a little colder than it had before. As they moved on, there was a shout from somewhere to the right off the path. “What the hell?!” Kellan exclaimed, raising his hand to the blade on his back and drawing it. It seemed to glow a little in the light shafts that pierced through the needles as he looked around, bearing it in both hands. Aston’s hands fell to his own swords, a feeling vindicated by the howling of wolves in the distance. “Sounds like someone’s in trouble.” Venger stated. “We don’t have time!” Kellan insisted. “It’s probably one of the people that are trying to beat us to it anyway!” “We can hardly just leave them there!” “So what? We save them, then lose the path back? Not bloody likely!” DM Message: Listen to Kellan and continue, or listen to Aston and investigate the screaming in the woods. He noticed the quiet lady looking at him and giving him a strange smile. It seemed condescending to him, but he would not be roused by anger. Instead, he paid attention to her strange garb. She was dressed not unlike himself in that she seemed to be from the wild side of civilisation as opposed to the city as many of the other people appeared to. In this sense, he felt a bizarre camaraderie with that, although he was confused by her look. He decided to approach the issue directly and attempt to understand who this person was exactly. "You are not like the other people here. You are quiet, and peaceful. Nor are you from the city, I can see that." He stated. "I did not catch your name amongst the chaos of the introductions. What is it, may I ask?" He spoke with the dignified calm that he was taught to hold himself with in his village. Clearly, the ways of the city people and the louder amongst them were influencing him. He needed to take greater care to maintain his focus and decorum.
