The Hunt Continues: LXV
Adleth let out a massive grin. The dagger she had thrown found its mark right in the thick of his centerpiece. Ustrul howled in pain grabbing the knife and chucking it blindly back at the party. Markos spun his trident, deflecting it to the side. They needed a game plan, Adleth thought. But how were they going to do this with such a cramped space?
"Mind explaining yourself?" Asher asked, Ustrul just glared, his dark eyes looking awfully pissed in that moment.
"Nah, rather just kill you myself!" Urstul raged. Adleth drew her two gilded short swords, the cultist next to her held his trident out, and Asher brandished his long blades.
*Chn-flink*
She recognized Alekzandr's rifle Segiri leveled over her shoulder. Asher charged into the room, with herself and Markos close behind. Like clockwork, the sides of the room practically sprang at them. Adleth caught a glimpse of the creature before they latched onto her arm. It felt like an erupting fire, a hot poker right in her wrist, Adleth screamed in pain, slashing a sword to cut it off, the thing crumbled to the ground with a quick slice. It was long, green and had large teeth. It resembled some kind of snake.
"Shit!" Asher yelled. The snake must have bit him as well. Urstul was laughing while he came charging at them, not willing to miss such an opportunity. Adleth moved to the right against a nearby dresser holding her swords up. Her right arm however was hurt and pulsed in pain when she tried to use it. She switched the focus onto her left.
"Got you!" Urstul yelled.
"You've got jack shit!" Adleth denounced she took a step forward to parry the blow.
*Wsssthentt*
A streaking noise hit her ear. She got an eyeful of a three pronged trident sticking into Urstul's far away body. Markos held his arm out bent over in a throwing position. She got a good look as the trident disappeared into purple mist like tentacles grabbing it into a portal and was returned in Markos's hand. Urstul groaned in pain. Adleth jumped to his left making a quick slash of her sword.
"Now you die!" Asher cried. The fellow weapon user ran at the man making a fury of attacks with his two blades. The two of them danced around him like animals leaping back out of harm's reach whenever he swung his great big sword.
*Frbeerboom!*
The room filled with the sound of Aleksandr's rifle, an array of ice bursts, and then magic missiles hit him drawing grunts of pain or wailing cries from the frost. Adleth almost felt sorry for him. She cocked her head observing how he fought, watching the twist in his muscles. 'He'' attack Markos now.' She predicted.
"This is absurd!" Urstul yelled. He slashed down at Markos, catching the half-elf between the shoulder blades.
"F-" Markos stumbled over on his ass trying to get up, the sword dug deeply into his shoulder probably catching on some armor but it still drew blood. Adleth rushed him, 'screw the guy attacking my.. Friends.' Adleth stabbed her left, and then right, switching between attacks. A crackle of lightning hit him in the chest.
"Eat lightning!" Herod yelled. He was closing quickly ready to attack Urstul, Adleth and Asher took turns swiping strikes and more slashing at his exposed parts, the legs, parts of the torso, trying to catch his arm. Spells were hurled as Urstul seemed able to sidestep them; he made a brutal crash of his blades down on Asher who tried his best to block. It was futile. Adleth watched helplessly as the blade crashed right into Asher's chest slashing in.. two. Wait. Adleth watched Asher shimmer from existence like a mirage in the water.
"You're too easy." The soldier's voice growled from behind Urstul. Asher leaped over stepping on Urstul's head making stabs and slashes cutting Urstul's armor down a peg.
"The hell? What was-" Urstul got a mouth full of lighting, Alekzandr chugging vodka behind her while he was shooting. She stabbed his stomach where the knife went in sinking her blade deep in the man. "Bah!" Urstul swung his arm hitting Adleth in the nose, knocking her to the side. She jumped to her feet instantly. "AGH!" Urstul yelled, purple lighting filled the room hitting the Zhentarim fuck like a wagon, Adleth turned to see an injured Markos on the floor weakly holding up his trident lighting shooting from it his eyes were burning with anger. Adleth grinned, spinning back for another attack.
*Evcsseeshnk*
Asher was a whirlwind. He somersaulted blocking strikes before countering them faster than Adleth thought an armored soldier could possibly move. She rejoined the fight mimicking what Asher did. Herod let off so many spells and blasts you couldn't keep track. Sure Riu was supporting them from the back, Adleth could tell that much but.. Urstul's real problem was Alekzandr. The drunk russian was laughing maniacally as he let off explosion after explosion.
"HAHA! Not Comrade, you look a little- cold! Would you like some heat to help?" Ray's of frost were melted by follow- up scorching bolts. Fire surrounded the already pretty burned guy while he simply fought for his life. "Kever ont! No wait- Lordakr aya raketa!" Urstul made a desperate attack. He released his arm back and threw the great sword it spun in the air right at Alekzandr's face.
"Freaking spell casters!" Urstul roared.
"ROAR!"Andraste sprung from nowhere, her lion form catching the great sword in its jaw. Adleth smiled going back to attacking the now unarmed man. She took note of where Asher.. Or the Asher's were attacking. There were three of them now; Echoes of himself attacking Urstul from all directions though Urstul did backhand one into shattering.
"Actually I've only recently learned how to use magic! I'm mostly just a fighter.. Though you don't know what that means because it's from the voices in my head.. But I did learn how to cast magic-" Markos started talking in a hyperactive manner. Adleth witnessed more lighting shoot from his trident hitting Urstul, despite being on the ground and heavily injured the fucking cultist was still making witty quips. "And Cthulhu always told me. Don't learn magic because you'd be too stupid with magic and honestl-" Markos couldnt continue because Urstul began screaming in anger trying to kill everything around him
Adleth lunged. She dug her blade into his right and her second sword into the chink she made earlier. Urtul brought his hand up to try and swat her away but she mimicked the actions Herod had been using to avoid being hit, it was her one skill. Reflective muscles, the ability to mimic movements. She spun around his head to avoid his grasp. Taking a note from Asher. She twisted the blades pushing off one another with strength she didn't know she had. She put a foot on Urstul's knee and another on Asher's chest, kicking off both of them she split the man in half creating a giant blood eagle. Crimson liquid sprayed everywhere littering the ground with a sludging ooze. The body fell backwards, a shocked look permanently on Urstul's face while he fell to the ground. Blood shot upward like a geyser painting the ceiling red.
"Yeah.. we can definitely kill ya." Adleth whispered.
"W- no! You stained the clo.. Oh that's right he doesn't have one." Adleth rolled her eyes with Markos still giving funny lines while he was probably in need of medical attention.
"Markos hold still!" Riu yelled from the back, Adleth started over, Riu's blue eyes full of worry while she began bandaging the cultist up. The cute Aasimar pushed her arms together, holding out her hands to speak. "Sit tibi cura angeli, medicas adhibere manus." Riu breathed carefully, runes appeared in front of her hands over Markos's body. Adleth got an eye full of mystical symbols while his wounds closed before her. She once again silently thanked the cleric. Cause she knew damn well she wasn't going to publicly thank the cleric. "All of you group up so I can heal you too." The party got together allowing Riu to speak another incantation to fix them. Adleth couldn't help but notice the darting expression the Aasimar held on her face while she looked around the destroyed room. Something to ask about later she noted.
"Where is this.. Lord?" Andraste had returned to her human form surprisingly, that is, she was simply standing in the middle of the room, Urstul's great sword at her feet. "The guards mentioned he had someone.. Their lord." Adleth also recalled this fact, though she wasn't paying much attention when that happened.
"Let's look around then!" Herod yelled. "Cmon, what are we waiting for?" Adleth stared around the room, there wasn't anything to show a man or.. "Probably.. In here?" Herod pointed to the doorway Urstul had kicked through in the beginning. He smirked a little darting sideways in.
"See anything Herod?!" Asher yelled, Adleth walked over.
"Uh.. yes." Herod started, he sounded a bit amused. "I have found a crying man.. In a puddle of urine.. He looks.. Wow." Adleth nearly dashed to the room, she had to see this. She rounded the corner and entered the room. It looked like a giant walk in closet, in the corner she spotted Herod bent over a crying man. He looked like he was trying his best to not laugh at the unfortunate image. The man looked around, shaking a bit. He was a short, pretty stocky man dressed in decently fine clothes though they looked a bit tattered and worn, his dark hair was practically glued to his head and his olive eyes shook with a fearful gaze. Adleth was pretty sure this guy was going to be annoying. He looked up, his eyes darting around before a small calm seemed to overtake him.
"Oh my! It's.. it's good to know it's safe, it's about time someone came to my rescue. Who, who on Toril are you?! Where are my guards.. And that big ugly fellow." Adleth made eye contact with Herod who was currently holding up his sword waiting for the permission to kill him.
"You're guards are busy guarding the lady of the manor!" Riu rushed forward waving her hands. The man got a sour expression at that but simply stood up brushing himself off, though he seemed to waddle a bit seeing how he pissed himself. He was oozing a sense of self importance. He didn't appear to be very injured, but he was trying to get some of his dignity. Adleth considered slicing him in half.
"Sir?" Herod asked politely. "Uh, what the fuck happened with you? Ya get jumped.. Or maybe just slapped a little." Herod followed up. The man stifled a little at that.
"These thugs.. Decided to come into our home and attack us! I have no idea what they wanted.." The Lord replied pompously. 'Oh I hate him already.' Adleth thought.
Adleth cleared her throat. "Can I get ya name piss pants? May need it when handing you over."
"And for the city guard when handling the official report!" Asher added. Herod nodded quickly in agreement. Adleth snorted a little breath in humour.
"His name is Orond Gralhund.." Adleth turned to see the city guard member, Heath standing in the doorway, looking a bit depressed, probably because he wasn't that useful in the fight she figured.
"Thank you!" Asher chirped back.
"Sir.. is there anything I can do for ya?" Asher asked politely.
"Sorry If I could just interject for a moment." Markos butt in. "We're here cause we're looking for something-" Herod suddenly grabbed the cultist's arm, squeezing it like 'not now.'
"Let's get you back to your guards huh?" Asher advised laughing a bit. The seven of them plus the guard quickly escorted the man from the room leading him through the hall and back to where Adleth spotted some of the guards. Luckily these aren't the same streets pigs, just irritating noble guards who would halt her ability to steal shit. Didn matter. She swiped Orond's necklace when he was trying to get up.
"My goodness! Thank you for returning my husband to me." The lady of the house rejoiced in her room as Orond sat down, though she did frown at the fact he wet himself. "I see you fared rather well for yourselves.. Not very beat up now are we?" the lady continued. "My name is Yalah Gralhund, I am the lady of his house. It is a pleasure to meet the Keepers of Chaos-"
"Nope!" Herod yelled. "I need it. I have to-" He was practically jumping in place. "Who the hell named us that? Seriously! I've got to know, I can not for the life of me figure out who named us the Keepers of Chaos seriously!" Herod protested angrily. Adleth took a step away from him, wondering if Markos really was the only mad man in their party. Though Herod looked a bit closer to a man than Markos.
"In.. any case.." Yalah continued cautiously. "I would love to reward you kind individuals, uh.. Damien?" Yalah snapped her fingers as a man brought a sack of coins forth. "Please accept this generous offer my heroes.." a guard took the bag and set it in Riu's hands.
"There is something.. More important." Adleth said, pushing to the front. "We came here looking for a fugitive of the city guard. Recently there was an attack outside our fucking place by a nimblewright." Adleth held out her hands. "We tracked that Nimblewright here.." The lady's expression changed on a dime.
"Well.." Yalah's voice was deep and cautious. "I can assure you there are no nimblewrights were, I used to see them by the house of inspired hands.. A definite place. But we house none here." Adleth frowned.
"Well, If you don't have any, you wouldn't mind if we took a look around huh?" Asher inquired. The lady and her husband looked at each other for a moment, the silent exchange could almost be heard as they talked to one another through eyes, panicking on what it was they should do. The guards looked a bit more menacingly now and the air filled with tension.
"I would mind that yes. It is my home after all.." Yalah claimed. "Who are you to search my premises?" Yalah demanded.
Asher cleared his throat. "Well I would like to search the property.. To A. check and make sure there isn't anyone else here waiting, hiding to assassinate you. And B. to allow us to ensure the utmost protection to your property while we try and find this vicious.. Murderer." Asher leaned in his mask covering his face in a menacing expression.
"I would rather not have strangers examining my premises." Yalah pointed at her guard indicating they would handle it.
"On a more serious note though." Asher interjected. "Are you not even phased that you were attacked by the Zhentarim?"
"You do seem rather calm.." Markos muttered. Yalah looked around her eyes narrowing.
"Hey sir?" Asher demanded. "Are you ever gonna thank us for.. Rescuing you?"
The man grew a sour expression hiding behind Yalah. "Ug.. I supposed. Thank you." He muttered thoughtlessly. 'Ok yeah fuck this guy were killing him!' Adleht decided.
"You said you tracked the nimblewright here? Is that right? Well, how is it you did that?" Yalah stood up steering the conversation back, her long dress flowing over her knees which cracked as she stood. Adleth got a sinking feeling in her stomach while she pulled out the nimblewright detector.
"With this.." Adleth trailed off, the nimblewright detector was no longer spinning at such a rapid rate, instead it seemed awfully slow. "Huh.. that's odd." Adleth whispered.
"As you can see there is nothing here.. Though.. The range on that device may mean it is far from here." Adleth grit her teeth, how did this woman know the range? What else did she know.. She silently wished she could just attack her but swallowed it.
"I see.." Adleth muttered. "Well, the city guard will have to be contacted.. Especially since there was a sighting here.." Adleth studied Yalah's face which grew a bit of contempt in her eyes. That was it Adleth thought, she had backed the woman. Yalah frowned, her eyes twitching.
"I have however.." heard sightings of a device like the nimblewright near the city of the dead.." Yalah admitted through gritted teeth, finally something they could use. "If you rushed there now.. I'm sure you may find it. Or you could go there at your leisure. Adleth clenched a fist happily. They got something. "Afterall.. If the Nimblewright.. Itself.. If caught, there won't be any need for a search now will there?" Adleth smiled a little. The woman really wanted to avoid this didn't she.
"Of.. course yeah." Heath admitted in the back.
"Then that settles it. I've heard reports of a machine hanging near the city of the dead for a few days now.. Probably hiding there. Be sure to give it a peek." Yalah declared.
"Thank you lady." Riu said, suddenly bowing. Andraste bowed as well. Causing Adleth to nearly throw up.
"We'll be headed out now." Herod announced. The seven of them turned slightly aggravated, others a little annoyed at the lack of being able to find the nimblewright. But most of all they had coins and a plan. If the woman was speaking the truth. That's all they would need.
"So we are headed for the City of the dead no?" Alekzandr asked. Adleth nodded a little.
"Yes Alekz.. We're going to the city of the dead." Adleth remarked storming down the stairs stepping over bodies.
"And if I could ask as a non native-" Markos chimed in. "What exactly is the city of the dead? Cause I'll have you know Hades doesn't like me nowadays." Adleth swore she saw Andraste frown.
"Hades.. What.."
"You'll get used to it." Asher replied, cutting Andraste off.
"The city of the dead." Riu started. "Is one of the.. Wealthier graveyards in the city, it's a place for nobles to bury.. Their beloved." Riu choked up a little.
"Oh so it's a graveyard hm?" Alekzandr took a swig of his flask in front of Adleth, throwing his head back.
"Yes." Adleth replied. "We're heading to the damned city of the dead."