A slight pressure on her
bare legs made Biara stir in her sleep. Slowly her eyes opened, looking
around the lightless room and seeing the silhouette of a figure over
her. For a moment, she sighed, thinking it was Alanth desiring her
again. The two had spent the past several days together, trying to
forget about their losses with a passion born of desperate need to feel
alive for a brief moment in time.
As Biara looked though something seemed out of place. The figure looming over her was too short, the ears too wide and angled down too far. As her groggy eyes focused she realized it was not an elf on top of naked body, but a goblin with a glint of something metal in it's hand. She drew in a breath to scream only to see the figure jerk suddenly. A small gurgle escaped it before the weight of its form eased off her and two glowing emerald eyes stared at her from the darkness.
"They've found us. There are assassins everywhere. It's time to go," Alanth said. Biara nodded once and felt something soft land on her as Alanth tossed her dress to her. She quickly slipped the garment on, checking to ensure that the pouches containing her spell components were in place before snatching her wand off the nightstand and slipping boots on her feet. Alanth stood near the door to their bedroom, a sword in one hand and dagger in the other, his body tense and his demeanor one of a person listening closely.
As Biara signaled her readiness with a nod, he eased open the bedroom door and they both slipped quietly downstairs. The common area of the orphanage was filled with the sounds of sleeping and snoring children from the adjoining rooms, and Biara breathed a sigh of relief to know that their hiding in the building had not endangered the orphans; at least not yet. It was past time for them to be moving on.
Alanth lead her to the front door, and they stood on opposite sides of it, looking at each other in the moonlight that came in through the windows. He looked her over appraisingly before nodding once. "There will be many more outside, waiting for us. We'll make our way to the dock where I've contracted with the Eversong's Revenge to take us out of the port. It's a pirate ship, but I paid them well enough to ensure that they won't double cross us; at least not if they want to get the rest of their gold. Whatever you do, once we go out there, don't stop moving."
Biara bit her lip and nodded, her posture tense. "I understand."
Alanth looked at her one last time, possibly the last time the two would ever see each other in this life. He held out a hand to her. "We can do this. Trust me."
Biara clasped his hand once, giving it a squeeze before nodding. "Always."
Releasing the Magistrix, Alanth squared his shoulders and turned to the front door. He gave it a solid kick and then whirled back against the doorframe. As the door was flung open from the force of his kick, a half-dozen crossbow bolts whizzed into the room, clattering harmlessly against the cold hearth in the common room. Instantly Alanth grabbed Biara's hand again and yanked her forward, propelling her out the door. The Magistrix flew forward, her boots finding purchase on the dewy paving stones as she began a mad dash down the narrow street in front of the orphanage. Instantly crossbow bolts arced around her as more goblin assassins took aim at her form.
Alanth wasted no time in following her out of the door. As soon as he saw her moving at a steady pace he slipped into the shadows, reappearing almost instantly behind two of the goblins that had taken up positions on crates stacked in the alley. A quick jab with his sword took care of one and a backswing left the other bleeding out on the ground nearby. He reached down and took out two small spheres, hurling them further up the alley near Biara. They burst and smoke began to pour out, obscuring the view of those waiting in ambush. Goblin voices called out in irritation as they lost sight of their prey.
Alanth dashed into the smoke, hearing Biara's footfalls as she pounded on down the alley. Being more nimble on his feet, he quickly caught up to her as the two reached the edge of the smoke cloud. As they passed, his sharp sight caught a danger ahead with only a moment to spare. The two were passing between a larger open space, with merchants' carts lining it. On either side goblins were waiting, House Dawnsea's assassins and hitmen prepared with crossbows and swords to finish them off.
Thinking on his feet, Alanth slammed into Biara, sweeping her feet out from under her. With a startled cry she fell on top of him, and he slid along the wet paving stones even as crossbow bolts snapped back and forth inches above their sliding forms. They cleared half the open space before their momentum died, and he rolled the Magistrix off of himself, snapping his legs out and flipping onto his feet. Goblins rush from both sides and his blade whirled, parrying two attacks as his dagger sliced through the arm of a third attacker.
Biara also rolled to her feet, squeaking as a sword came down where she had by laying. Magic flared and the attacker fell back with a gaping chest wound from a lance if icy power. The Magistrix stumbled away from the attacker, even as Alanth dispatched the two goblins that had engaged him. Biara's eyes widened and she shouted. "Alanth! Watch out!"
He turned towards her, seeing a goblin rising up behind her with a dagger in hand. Without thinking he flipped his own dagger, throwing it past the Magistrix. At the same time she pointed, and an icy bolt of power flickered past his head, slamming into two goblins that were raising reloaded crossbows to shoot him in the back. The goblin behind Biara gurgled with Alanth's dagger in his throat, even as the two behind Alanth were hurled backwards by the force of Biara's magic. Shouts rose up around the two as more attackers ran at them from both ends of the narrow lane.
Biara ran towards Alanth, grabbing him close and shouting. A ring of deadly frost surrounded them, and a half-dozen attackers ran into it before they could stop, others sliding on the wet paving stones and also slipping into the area of effect. Goblins froze solid around them, crashing to the ground and shattering even as more took up pursuit from behind.
"Fuck!" Alanth cursed, grabbing Biara and dragging her quickly along behind him. "How much money does that bitch have? These little green bastards don't come cheap!"
"Enough.." Biara gasped, panting and struggling to keep up.
Behind them more shouts arose as the goblins charged. The magic that Biara had cast faded, giving them access to the lane as they surged forward again. There were more than enough to stop the two elves, and the pair quickened their pace, desperate to reach safety.
Just as it looked like the goblins would catch them or put crossbow bolts through their backs, the two rounded a corner and came upon an open space before the stone mooring docks of Silvermoon. There, sitting at the dock, was the Eversong's Revenge, waiting for them. Alanth had planned on getting there in the early morning the following day, and the sailors on board shouted as they saw the two elves dashing for the ship. Immediately the vessel burst into activity as they prepared to cast off.
A horde of goblins surged out of the lane behind the fleeing Sin'dorei, and the sailors shouted as they saw the oncoming tide of enemies. The ship's captain bellowed orders, and Alanth quickly jerked to a stop, grabbing Biara and taking her down to the street, lying next to her. "Stay down!"
Disc throwers mounted on the deck of the ship swivelled and fired into the oncoming horde, the huge metal blades tearing through ranks of screaming green assassins even as the sailors lined up along the edge of the deck and unleashed a barrage of arrow and gunfire. Goblins fell in huge numbers while Alanth and Biara held each other as the projectiles flew overhead. In seconds half the area was cleared and the goblins were retreating. Alanth jumped to his feet and pulled Biara up after him, dashing for the ship.
The two hopped across from the dock to the ship's deck even as the sailors pushed off. The sleek pirate ship slipped away from the mooring dock, quickly making its way into the harbor. The danger wasn't over though as a second ship bearing House Dawnsea's banner quickly took up pursuit from a neighboring dock, arrows flying from its crew towards the Eversong's Revenge.
"FEL! We've got to get away from these goons!" one of the sailors shouted. Many of them were forced to take cover as the barrage intensified.
Biara and Alanth looked at each other before the Magistrix slipped away from his side. He shook his head but she smiled at him sadly and said, "I have to. If we're going to get away, I have to do this."
His gaze locked with hers before he nodded; he knew she didn't want to use her magic to kill other elves, but in this case there was little choice. He just hoped she could face herself after doing it.
With arrows flying through the air all around them, Biara walked up the bow of the ship, extending her arms above her head. Several of the enemy archers took aim as their ship came closer, but despite a few near misses no arrows struck the Magistrix as she chanted.
Seconds later, a huge column of fire erupted in the water right between the two ships, the flamestrike making the sea itself surge upwards. The House Dawnsea vessel sailed into the surging water and foundered, the ship nearly capsizing entirely as the unstable wall of water struck it. Elven sailors frantically attempted to save the ship and the barrage of arrows stopped.
The Eversong's Revenge rode away from the swell of water, the current propelling it onward at enormous speed. Even as Biara sank down to sit and catch her breath, the House Dawnsea vessel and Silvermoon City itself faded to specks in the distance. Calm and quiet settled down over the crew and the two elves who had narrowly escaped the claws of Seluna Dawnsea.
Alanth sheathed his weapons and walked over to Biara, sinking down next to her. She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it before leaning against him and looking out over the sea. Their fate was their own now, and while the future was uncertain they could go freely into it, without the weight of their mistakes hanging over them. There would be revenge, there would be life, and maybe, one day there would be happiness again.
What mattered most though was that there would always be friendship and trust, born in tragedy and forged in battle.
As Biara looked though something seemed out of place. The figure looming over her was too short, the ears too wide and angled down too far. As her groggy eyes focused she realized it was not an elf on top of naked body, but a goblin with a glint of something metal in it's hand. She drew in a breath to scream only to see the figure jerk suddenly. A small gurgle escaped it before the weight of its form eased off her and two glowing emerald eyes stared at her from the darkness.
"They've found us. There are assassins everywhere. It's time to go," Alanth said. Biara nodded once and felt something soft land on her as Alanth tossed her dress to her. She quickly slipped the garment on, checking to ensure that the pouches containing her spell components were in place before snatching her wand off the nightstand and slipping boots on her feet. Alanth stood near the door to their bedroom, a sword in one hand and dagger in the other, his body tense and his demeanor one of a person listening closely.
As Biara signaled her readiness with a nod, he eased open the bedroom door and they both slipped quietly downstairs. The common area of the orphanage was filled with the sounds of sleeping and snoring children from the adjoining rooms, and Biara breathed a sigh of relief to know that their hiding in the building had not endangered the orphans; at least not yet. It was past time for them to be moving on.
Alanth lead her to the front door, and they stood on opposite sides of it, looking at each other in the moonlight that came in through the windows. He looked her over appraisingly before nodding once. "There will be many more outside, waiting for us. We'll make our way to the dock where I've contracted with the Eversong's Revenge to take us out of the port. It's a pirate ship, but I paid them well enough to ensure that they won't double cross us; at least not if they want to get the rest of their gold. Whatever you do, once we go out there, don't stop moving."
Biara bit her lip and nodded, her posture tense. "I understand."
Alanth looked at her one last time, possibly the last time the two would ever see each other in this life. He held out a hand to her. "We can do this. Trust me."
Biara clasped his hand once, giving it a squeeze before nodding. "Always."
Releasing the Magistrix, Alanth squared his shoulders and turned to the front door. He gave it a solid kick and then whirled back against the doorframe. As the door was flung open from the force of his kick, a half-dozen crossbow bolts whizzed into the room, clattering harmlessly against the cold hearth in the common room. Instantly Alanth grabbed Biara's hand again and yanked her forward, propelling her out the door. The Magistrix flew forward, her boots finding purchase on the dewy paving stones as she began a mad dash down the narrow street in front of the orphanage. Instantly crossbow bolts arced around her as more goblin assassins took aim at her form.
Alanth wasted no time in following her out of the door. As soon as he saw her moving at a steady pace he slipped into the shadows, reappearing almost instantly behind two of the goblins that had taken up positions on crates stacked in the alley. A quick jab with his sword took care of one and a backswing left the other bleeding out on the ground nearby. He reached down and took out two small spheres, hurling them further up the alley near Biara. They burst and smoke began to pour out, obscuring the view of those waiting in ambush. Goblin voices called out in irritation as they lost sight of their prey.
Alanth dashed into the smoke, hearing Biara's footfalls as she pounded on down the alley. Being more nimble on his feet, he quickly caught up to her as the two reached the edge of the smoke cloud. As they passed, his sharp sight caught a danger ahead with only a moment to spare. The two were passing between a larger open space, with merchants' carts lining it. On either side goblins were waiting, House Dawnsea's assassins and hitmen prepared with crossbows and swords to finish them off.
Thinking on his feet, Alanth slammed into Biara, sweeping her feet out from under her. With a startled cry she fell on top of him, and he slid along the wet paving stones even as crossbow bolts snapped back and forth inches above their sliding forms. They cleared half the open space before their momentum died, and he rolled the Magistrix off of himself, snapping his legs out and flipping onto his feet. Goblins rush from both sides and his blade whirled, parrying two attacks as his dagger sliced through the arm of a third attacker.
Biara also rolled to her feet, squeaking as a sword came down where she had by laying. Magic flared and the attacker fell back with a gaping chest wound from a lance if icy power. The Magistrix stumbled away from the attacker, even as Alanth dispatched the two goblins that had engaged him. Biara's eyes widened and she shouted. "Alanth! Watch out!"
He turned towards her, seeing a goblin rising up behind her with a dagger in hand. Without thinking he flipped his own dagger, throwing it past the Magistrix. At the same time she pointed, and an icy bolt of power flickered past his head, slamming into two goblins that were raising reloaded crossbows to shoot him in the back. The goblin behind Biara gurgled with Alanth's dagger in his throat, even as the two behind Alanth were hurled backwards by the force of Biara's magic. Shouts rose up around the two as more attackers ran at them from both ends of the narrow lane.
Biara ran towards Alanth, grabbing him close and shouting. A ring of deadly frost surrounded them, and a half-dozen attackers ran into it before they could stop, others sliding on the wet paving stones and also slipping into the area of effect. Goblins froze solid around them, crashing to the ground and shattering even as more took up pursuit from behind.
"Fuck!" Alanth cursed, grabbing Biara and dragging her quickly along behind him. "How much money does that bitch have? These little green bastards don't come cheap!"
"Enough.." Biara gasped, panting and struggling to keep up.
Behind them more shouts arose as the goblins charged. The magic that Biara had cast faded, giving them access to the lane as they surged forward again. There were more than enough to stop the two elves, and the pair quickened their pace, desperate to reach safety.
Just as it looked like the goblins would catch them or put crossbow bolts through their backs, the two rounded a corner and came upon an open space before the stone mooring docks of Silvermoon. There, sitting at the dock, was the Eversong's Revenge, waiting for them. Alanth had planned on getting there in the early morning the following day, and the sailors on board shouted as they saw the two elves dashing for the ship. Immediately the vessel burst into activity as they prepared to cast off.
A horde of goblins surged out of the lane behind the fleeing Sin'dorei, and the sailors shouted as they saw the oncoming tide of enemies. The ship's captain bellowed orders, and Alanth quickly jerked to a stop, grabbing Biara and taking her down to the street, lying next to her. "Stay down!"
Disc throwers mounted on the deck of the ship swivelled and fired into the oncoming horde, the huge metal blades tearing through ranks of screaming green assassins even as the sailors lined up along the edge of the deck and unleashed a barrage of arrow and gunfire. Goblins fell in huge numbers while Alanth and Biara held each other as the projectiles flew overhead. In seconds half the area was cleared and the goblins were retreating. Alanth jumped to his feet and pulled Biara up after him, dashing for the ship.
The two hopped across from the dock to the ship's deck even as the sailors pushed off. The sleek pirate ship slipped away from the mooring dock, quickly making its way into the harbor. The danger wasn't over though as a second ship bearing House Dawnsea's banner quickly took up pursuit from a neighboring dock, arrows flying from its crew towards the Eversong's Revenge.
"FEL! We've got to get away from these goons!" one of the sailors shouted. Many of them were forced to take cover as the barrage intensified.
Biara and Alanth looked at each other before the Magistrix slipped away from his side. He shook his head but she smiled at him sadly and said, "I have to. If we're going to get away, I have to do this."
His gaze locked with hers before he nodded; he knew she didn't want to use her magic to kill other elves, but in this case there was little choice. He just hoped she could face herself after doing it.
With arrows flying through the air all around them, Biara walked up the bow of the ship, extending her arms above her head. Several of the enemy archers took aim as their ship came closer, but despite a few near misses no arrows struck the Magistrix as she chanted.
Seconds later, a huge column of fire erupted in the water right between the two ships, the flamestrike making the sea itself surge upwards. The House Dawnsea vessel sailed into the surging water and foundered, the ship nearly capsizing entirely as the unstable wall of water struck it. Elven sailors frantically attempted to save the ship and the barrage of arrows stopped.
The Eversong's Revenge rode away from the swell of water, the current propelling it onward at enormous speed. Even as Biara sank down to sit and catch her breath, the House Dawnsea vessel and Silvermoon City itself faded to specks in the distance. Calm and quiet settled down over the crew and the two elves who had narrowly escaped the claws of Seluna Dawnsea.
Alanth sheathed his weapons and walked over to Biara, sinking down next to her. She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it before leaning against him and looking out over the sea. Their fate was their own now, and while the future was uncertain they could go freely into it, without the weight of their mistakes hanging over them. There would be revenge, there would be life, and maybe, one day there would be happiness again.
What mattered most though was that there would always be friendship and trust, born in tragedy and forged in battle.
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