Quest - Ledger of Rituals - Abduction

[Ekaterina]

With the coming of colder months, there is a need for stock piling resources. This would include vegetables that would be canned or dried, and the wood necessary for keeping all warm within the Inne as well as fuel for the stoves and ovens. Radulfr had spent the day cutting down trees and sawing them into appropriate lengths, and her task was the splitting and piling of said wood. A task she didn't mind doing, it helped one to exert aggressions out on something inanimate. This would be the task under which she was presently taking. Adorned in the leather pants and tunic created from the skin of a few bears she'd recently hunted. Off to the side was a cape that was fashioned from the combination of deer hides with fur intact. Having been taken off due to the heat created by her task. Long flaxen mane was fashioned in the tiny braids of heritage, though all pulled back and held by a single strand of leather, to keep them from slapping her face irritatingly so. The back door of the Inne was open that lead into the kitchen, where Lilly, Radulfr’s' slave was busy baking for the next day’s meals. Radulfr was tending to the rest of the Inne and its patrons until her return. The night was cool and damp, which offered a wonderful reprise when a gentle breeze would pass to brush against sweated brow. Having split quite a few, she was taking a break from her task to enjoy some cold water and to take a pause before stacking what rested before her.


The cool air and sharp winds bit against his exposed flesh uncomfortably, eyes narrowing behind gilded mask as he traveled along the road from the North, in the opposite direction of the way he had passed by this place in the past. It was here once again that he would take his rest. Keen ears picked out the strike of metal upon wood and the splitting of far after he made out the distant light of the Inne, as this time fog was not present to block his eye site. As he had in the past, so too did he once again bring the beast of war to just outside the stables and dismounted it, not bothering to tie it down. The creature was after all, to large and smart for such a thing, and so he left it to do as it would. Gauntlet clad hands moved to pull shut the bear fur cloak about his form, holding it fast with clasps of silver. Keeping the hood and gilded mask in place, he strode along the dirt road and to the front of the inn, tossing the door open and waving to the inn keeper with a simple motion. "Hail. Two pints of your strongest drink, and don't water it down my good sir." He placed down a small bag of coins on the counter top, which he opened with a flick of his index finger, the plated armor tipped with claws to match that of scalpels. A hand full of silver coins spilled out, as well as the glint of gold.

Radulfr would turn when the stranger entered, and a nod of his head given to the man’s request called forth. A man of few words, unless actively engaged in conversation. Even then few words to be used in response. That was unless someone had him riled, and even that would depend upon the situation. Grabbing a large tankard and a bottle of whiskey, this would be set upon the bar before the masked man. "Five silver." He wouldn't reach for the coins, but wait for the man to count them out from the ones that spilled. He'd not be accused of attempted theft, nor theft. Nor would he release his hold upon that bottle before coins were set within his free hand, or pushed towards him. The old warriors’ eyes were studying the mask and found the male odd to say the least. Though lately many things have transpired out of the norm, so this one would be ranked right at the top of that list.

She would finish her water, then set the skin off to the side and begin gathering the wood. Carrying it to the lean-to behind the Inne that was used to keep it as dry as possible by shielding it from the elements. The stables were within visual of where she worked, and the massive beast with its rider would be noticed when they arrived. Having only met him once, as well as the beast, it was easy enough to figure out whom it was; even if name was not known. She'd finish the task of piling the wood before she'd venture into the Inne. Making way into the kitchen first to clean up and check on Lilly, then she'd step through the kitchen door that leads into the common room. Only a moment would be taken to validate her earlier thoughts on whom the visitor was. "Evening." Greeting the Masked one and Radulfr with a single word. She'd then ease behind the bar to prepare herself a tankard of mead.

"All yours." He said with a nod, his fingers lining up to push the bag across the bar and towards him. "Consider it extra payment for taking all of your stock the last time I was here." Once the two pints were set down and the money taken, he would pluck each of them up in one hand, his head lifting to find the woman. "A fine one now that I've found you again." He lifted one of the pints up higher than the other, offering it to her. "Come, have a drink with me. I have news to share."

That had the old warriors’ brow to rise as the amount that was just paid. Either the man was already drunk, or had more coin than brains. Whatever the nature of the man, the coins would be collected and placed into the lead box used to keep it and locked thereafter. He'd nod to Kat when she moved around him and a grunt in response. Now that she was here, he'd head into the kitchen to give Lilly a hand.

A glance towards the masked man and a brow to rise in surprise and question. "Alright." Unsure of what the nature of the news could be. Perhaps about what they spoke of before, and maybe this time she could learn more that might help Osiris in his cause. A nod of head to accompany her response, and she'd turn upon a heel to return to the other side of the bar. Making way to where he chose to sit and take the seat at his side. "What news would this be?" Curiosity aroused, much like the feline her name resembled when shortened; although it has yet to get her killed. Yet! Icy shards of crystalline blue would fix upon the mask, more the eyes to be viewed since it was the only thing visible at this point and time. "I never did catch your name when last we met. I'm Ekaterina." Her pet name, Kat, was only used by those she viewed as close.

He would hand off the second pint of whiskey to her before he took his leave of the bar and moved the chairs in front of the fire. Seeing as how he was much to larger for them, he simply took his seat beside the winged arm chair which she sat in, even leaning his back against the side of it so that, if she desired, she could have reached up and placed her drink upon his head. "News of the Beast to the North, my friend." He referred of course, to the dragon, though when she offered her name up, he turned his head in order to look to her, his head slight bowing. "I am Auxelgard of Stormsreach, it is a pleasure."

Taking the offered tankard, she'd then follow him as he leads to find a seat before the hearth. A slight twitch of lips in an amused smirk when he chose to settle beside her chair. Tankard set upon the small table that rested between chairs, to free her hands to move and stoke the fire before claiming her seat. Once settled, she resisted the urge to pat the head so near; it was but a thought. "Auxelgard, a pleasure indeed." Stated once her seat was claimed and focus would rest upon him. "Ahhh, the beast with the notorious treasure hold. You did say he had something of yours, were you able to locate it?" Head tilted slightly as she awaited his response.

"Not something of mine, but something I desire to possess." He corrected her, though hardly sounding critical of her. Instead, he craned his head upwards, his chin coming to rest upon the arm of the chair beside her hand, much like a doting dog would, "I met the great Wyrm, though such a creature was beyond my ability to slay. Had I even tried, I fear it would have been the end of me. The beast offered me a trade, my aid for the artifact. A crown, wrought from the bones of golden dragons, gems of polished silver dragon scales and eyes of the various metallic dragons, a coif of dragon hide. A head dress made from the parts of all the metallic dragons and quenched in the blood of a god. An ancient and mighty relic that I greatly desire. Yet the trade was too much, it wanted me to do something I would not, and so I left..." He sighed and looked away, his hand rising to the side of his mask, as about to remove It. "Though I heard that you have as much a quarrel with the dragon as I."

That gained him a slight rise of brow. "Sounds like quite a coveted piece. It must hold quite some value as well as a potential of added uses." Not well versed in dragons or their attributes, however she did possess a few items of her own that were given her as gifts that came from the mystical beasts. “What exactly did he ask of you that you found an unreasonable task?" Head tilted once more with his last comment. "I have a quarrel with the dragon?" To this she'd slowly shake her head, watching to view what may lie beneath the mask if raised enough to gander a glance. "I've no bones to pick with it, and from what I've heard, it'd be more than I could ever face or handle. I'm no warrior or knight." This was the truth, in a sense. "All I know about this beast is what's been told to me." This was the truth in full.

"Well then I pity you, for the dragon seems to think you are in league with those who wish him harm, and in turn wishes to see harm done upon you." He gave a small nod of his head, unhooking the mask and removing it from his face as he looked away from her to hide himself. However, he was now free to drink, which he did happily, tilting back the pint to feel the sharp burn of the whiskey upon his throat. "Ahhh...He asked me to kill a man named Osiris. He wanted me to send a message, not just slay him as an assassin would, but to utterly destroy him."

Now this revelation was something unexpected, she had no clue the dragon even knew whom she was. The attack made against her, she wrote it off as to another attempt by the Nobles of the local area. No discussion had been made that stated it was anything more, at least not with her. "Hmm ... really now." Her only response to be given to the man. She'd not admit nor deny her position. "I have no intent on harming him in any way." This was the truth. It was Osiris who was to do the damage and face the beast. Her beast to face was of the human kind, the Barbarian King. "I know of this Osiris." Which she'd not deny. He had been openly seen within the Inne, to deny such would ruin any strength that could be viewed of her words. "To kill him would be to destroy him, that doesn't make sense to me." She knew there were ways to destroy and break any man, without bringing harm upon the person them-self; she's done it countless times before. Though outwardly she seemed relaxed, inwardly she was becoming more guarded and leery of surroundings. When he looked away, she was a bit disappointed, but continued to gaze upon him none the less.

"Intent or not, he views you as a threat, which makes things dangerous for you." He gave a small shrug, bringing the whiskey up again, the burn less this time as legs pulled up, knees moving to his chest. "Truth be told, I suppose I've not fallen upon his good side by declining him. Full bloods have a way of being quick to anger. They don't like the word ‘No.’ like royalty almost." He shook his head again, giving a soft laugh that was like the distant roll of thunder, coming from deep within his chest. "What I mean is he does not want him smothered in his sleep or poisoned by food. He wants him broken and battered, a mangled body dragged through the streets and limbs hanging from bridges across the land." He turned his head slightly, and she would clearly see the length of his snout, hundreds of fine, blood red scales covered it while dull white fangs lined the middle, strands of red hair only slightly lighter than his scales hung from along the underside of his jaw. He looked upon her with one molten iron like eye, his jaw muscles as big as the muscles of a man’s arm. "Which is why I came to you. I want to aid you and Osiris."

"That's true, those in position of power don't like anyone standing against them." Stated with a bit of a chuckle. It was the revelation of what the Dracolich wanted done to Osiris that would cause feathers to begin to rise; figuratively speaking. Outwardly, that calm and relaxed demeanor would continue to be on display. Inwardly she was envisioning the many ways to make one suffer if they ever made such an attempt. "He must fear Osiris quite a bit if he's trying to contract or barter out his demise." A thought stated offhandedly, when in truth she was beginning to view this Dracolich as a coward for attempting so. When he turned so she could finally view his features for the first time, she was taken back a bit. She had thought it was a man that adorned the mask, only to see her assumption was quite wrong. A moment taken to think over the words spoken at the end. Using the turn to collect her tankard and take that first sip of her whiskey as the ploy to do so. The tankard lowered as focus would shift to the creature sitting at her side. "I could see about arranging a meeting between you and Osiris. If he's in need of help to tend to a matter, that's the one you need to speak to." She'd still not outwardly admit to her role in all this. She didn't trust the creature at her side, for good reason; she just wasn't the trusting sort.

"Could you take me to him" He asked bluntly, turning about further to look her in the eye, face to face now. The other side looked more or less the same, save for a large scar that ran from just under the eye to along his lip and into the beard. Under the hood, the base of large, swept horns could be seen, though little more. "He should know that he is in danger of being attacked. The beast has many champions and those willing to do his will, for money, the promise of treasure, or many other reasons. Or just the undead he is able to summon and control. While I declined him, there are many others."

-Continued....

[Ekaterina]

Icy shards of blue met his molten gaze as she considered his words, seriously. Weighing and pondering the facts and questions that arose. Again to bide her time, the tankard was lifted and a few more sips of the whiskey taken. When it lowered her conclusion would come. "I could accompany you to the docks, and from there send word to him via one of his messengers." Sounded all cloak and dagger, but it was done so for a reason. His last comment was true enough, even she couldn't deny that fact. "You could be using me as a decoy to get to him and pulling an elaborate scheme to bring him out into the open to do your deed." Brow to lift slightly. "I know you no better than I do a perfect stranger, to lead you directly to him, surely you'd expect nothing less." She wasn't about to bring a would be assassin to the door step.

Randell Daviun came to the Stumble with his now typical escort of two men. A tall man with a massive sword sheathed across his back, and a slender fellow with a sharp face and keen eyes. What was different today was their clothing. Each wore a sigil familiar to Ekaterina. Intimately familiar. It was her own mark, perfectly tailored to the breast of their mail armor and the back of their cloaks. The merchant, too, bore Ekaterina's family hallmark, though his was a more subtle inflection upon his usual attire, scrolled to the cuffs of his long coat and along its high collar. Beneath, barely visible through the folds of his coat was the wilting rose pin, glinting as it coats the light. It was continuously revealed and hidden with his precise stride, but never openly displayed. "Finner, the door if you will." The larger of his two guardsmen moved back toward the inn's entrance, while Randell gestured the smaller of the pair over to a table in the corner. That done, he glimpsed Ekaterina with a man he never saw before, and his features bowed with the weight of a thoughtful frown. "Good evening, my lady..." the air of propriety was thick about the merchant, and it only seemed to intensify with his stiff bow. Gray eyes cut a side long look to the stranger before they returned to Kat. "You left the manor today without addressing several important business details. I'll need your approval for several, if anything is to be done about the old warehouses in the Mooring Quarter..." he paused here, his expression a cold mask. "I am not interrupting anything, am I?"

As the door squeaked open, he moved in a flurry, picking up the gilded mask and bringing it upon his face with such speed that he had only time to hold it in place as the group entered, much less affix it. "Very well. I understand your caution completely. As long as some message reaches his ears, I shall be pleased. I suppose I should stay in the city until I gain word from him." He of course did move to bring the straps and buckles of the mask under the hood and bring them in place so he could remove his hands and let the mask stay. Just in time to look up once again to this fellow who addressed her. He didn't speak to the man, but only watched the two of them, pushing himself to a towering stand over them before moving to the fire and leaning upon the stone mantel, watching and silent.

When the door opened, icy shards of blue would shift to glance in that direction. Taking note of Randells arrival and his two men. Noting the way they dressed, inwardly she smirked while outwardly it would be a smile that greeted Randell and company. It was the sudden movement of the creature at her side that made her take notice. Nimble he was in movement, quick and sturdy upon his feet. Something to take note of and remember. "I'm sorry Randell, I had some other matters that came up and lost track of time." Sounded like a feasible excuse of the norm. Watching as Auxelgard moved to now stand beside the hearth before attention was back on Randell. "Auxelgard here .." Motioning towards the re-masked creature. "..had an encounter of a strange kind. There's this dragon in the north that seems to consider myself and Osiris as a threat. He offered him a reward to see to Osiris demise." A pause as she stood from her seat and set her tankard aside. "He denied such a request and now comes to offer Osiris his aide and offer a fair warning that this dragon is seeking individuals to do him harm." Best way to put it without giving away too much information to the Beast by using easily deciphered innuendos and plays on words. "I was just informing him that I might be able to arrange a meeting between he and Osiris." Giving a quick summation of the situation taking place. A glance then to Auxelgard. "This is Randell, my personal adviser." An explanation as to why she was being so informative to the man, the way it should be for one who worked so close to her. "We could always set you up with a room here, if you prefer the country to the city setting. Here is less noise and traffic." Just a friendly offer.

Hello big fella'... Randell's eyes climbed upward as the stranger stood, then retreated toward the fire. That caused his brow to crease, and his frown to deepen, but otherwise he was a picturesque man of civility. Then, listening to his mistress fill in the blanks, he found himself nodding in slow acceptance of the information. "A dragon?" he asked flatly, regarding Kat's features, as if searching for the glint of mirth that would signal a joke. When her serious mien continued, Randell sighed softly. "Well, unless this... dragon is railing on our doorstep, I believe the warehouses deserve your immediate attention until such time as we can deal with the beast." His speech was precise, yet curt, but when it came to the current living arrangements of their guest, he glanced to this 'Auxelgard' once more and spoke in his soft, calm tone. "And if your newest guest doesn't wish to lodge here, I can make arrangements in Kiel for a very comfortable stay. Whatever he, and my mistress prefers..."

"Well met, Lord Randell." He offered a deep bow, both of his head and at the waist as he tucked his arm at his waist. Standing up again, he listened to their brief conversation, and then offering a small shake of his head. "I am not picky. Whatever would be the easiest for you two, and the cheapest. I wouldn't want to drain any of your resources without offering something in return. Though, if it's all the same, I prefer the city. I am used to it, and love the urban setting." He gave a small shrug, his elbow resting on the mantle, his other hand grasping and hanging his arm from it as he'd leaned close to the fire, enjoying the heat. "Though I do not know the way to Kiel, and I shall need a guide, even if it's just to get word to a messenger."

A glance towards Randell and this time the amusement couldn't be contained in her eyes that fixed upon him. "You're quite correct, business before pleasure eh?" Said with a hint of a smirk. Then features returned to that prior calm expression when she glanced back to Auxelgard. "If you prefer the city, there is a place called the Bloody Bore that would suit well." Looking back to Randell. "If you'd be so kind as to make such arrangements." It would be the masked ones request for a guide that had her looking back towards him again. "We're about to head in that direction now, so that I might tend to business that I've neglected. You're more than welcomed to accompany us in our travel. As for the messenger, I gave you my word to procure such, and I intend on keeping my word." For more reasons than one. She wanted to forewarn Osiris first, so he'd be prepared for whatever there was to face. If the creature was genuine in his want to help, Osiris would be the one to see this and know the truth. Glance back to Randell. "Would you please have one of your men prepare my mount and bring it to the front door?" If he makes one comment about her using the word please, she'll stuff a leather ball down his throat; later.

"I am not a lord," Randell countered smoothly, turning to the man and pitting him with a half-lidded stare, "I'm merely a humble servant of Von Drasek family, and as a representative of my mistress, I would never disrespect her name nor sacrifice her guest's comforts by placing them in a cheap dwelling." He almost sounded offended, and perhaps Kat saw some of his own proverbial feathers ruffled. "All your needs will be met, and the necessary arrangements made within the hour." When Kat made her request, he would simply bow his head, then turn his narrowed eyes on the taller of his two guardsmen. "Finner, see to it that our lady's mount is saddled and ready for travel - and also prepare our own steeds for travel." Whatever Randell was thinking about, either to the context of her 'please' or the information on the dragon, none of it could be read from his features.

"Very well. I shall meet you both out upon the road. I need to prepare my own beast for travel." He offered they both a nod before striding to the pint on the floor and picking it up, bringing it with him as he headed for the door. After all, the extra money he'd paid for the two drinks would more than pay for the cost of the vessel. Once outside he headed past the stables to the massive elephantine beast that awaited him, unbuckling the mask on the bottom levels and lifting it over his head like it was he visor of a helm. Taking in all the whiskey left, he held it in his mouth and set the mask down again before mounting up on the creature and spurring it to life with his heels.

A nod of her head as all was set to plan, and a glance towards Randell. "One moment, I need to let Radulfr know that I'm leaving and give a few last minute instructions." Not awaiting a response, she'd turn and make her way into the kitchen where the old man and Lilly were working. She'd give the warrior a quick disclosure of what she had learned, and that he was to get word to Osiris quickly. But to wait for some time until after they left to do so. Suggesting sending Lilly, since she was less known and would be least suspected traveling. Osiris knew her, that's all that mattered. It was then she'd return to the common room and find Auxelgard had already left. Moving up to Randell she'd step close enough to whisper close. "I don't trust him." Simple words to offer as she passed him and headed out the door to her awaiting steed that Finner tended to. A nod of thanks before she was swinging up into the saddle to await the rest. Once mounted, they'd begin their trek down the road towards the Port City.

"And you figured that out by yourself, without my advice? I don't understand why you keep me around, my lady..." the sarcasm was subtle, yet the words accentuated the point despite his light inflection. Gesturing for the lithe guardsman to follow him out, they all went to the yard outside to find their horses waiting, their reins all held by Finner's massive hand. "All right," he said, mounting his soft gray mare, who seemed like a placid creature. guardsman to follow him out, they all went to the yard outside to find their horses waiting, their reins all held by Finner's massive hand. "All right," he said, mounting his soft gray mare, who seemed like a placid creature. "Allow me to ride on ahead, my lady, and make the arrangements for your guest's stay. Finner, Khels - you will accompany our mistress and her companion into the city. With the onset of winter, what few bandits we still have in these parts will begin to grow desperate. Make sure neither of them suffers a scratch, understood?" They both nodded. "By your leave, my lady..." Randell said in farewell to Kat, bowing to her and the tall, masked man - if he was still present - before heading off down the road at a canter.



- Continued ......

[Ekaterina]

After spurring his beast into action, he had brought it to the front of the Inne, waiting on her to mount up and proceed down the road, nodding to her once she mounted. He said nothing to her, for he still had a mouth full of whiskey, and a lot of it. Instead he simply waved her on and started to head down the road himself, gripping the thick chains that where attached to the collar of the beast, for it had no bridle like a horse would have.

The advice part would gain Randell a moment narrowed glance. A nod of her head when they were finally in motion and Randells announcement of riding ahead to see to arrangements. Finner would ride ahead of them and set a pace by several yards. Khels would fall in behind her once the massive equine of hers would fall into step besides the traveling beasts. His position would flank the same distance as Finner’s did ahead. Eyes in constant motion to the surrounding areas, as well as ears for sounds not of the norm. "It might take a few days before Osiris may replay. I can't guarantee if he even will." Looking up at the rider beside her, that dwarfed she and her mount that stood a good seventeen stones in height; a large animal. Their pace wouldn't be slow, but at the same time, they wouldn't trot hastily down the road either. This would allow others the time needed to tend to their present tasks.

He nodded softly, looking out to the right and to the forest that they flanked when suddenly he stopped, looking about in confusion. Though it was clear what was happening, the beast he road had stopped to do its business on the side of the road. Eyes rolled for a moment as he lagged behind for a few moments until he was on par with the rear guard, which he road alongside for a few moments before he turned to look down upon the man. His hand moved to his cloak, unclasping the silver buckles to open it and ease his travels, unlike the rear escort. He leaned down, pulling the mask up with a free hand as he sprayed forth the whiskey, igniting it with the fires of his own breath, acting much in the same way that fire breathers do at carnivals, blasting the rider and mount with a wave of fire that was followed up by fire from his own gullet, rolling yellow, orange and red fires that were hot enough to melt the chain mail he wore into slag. The flames roaring loud enough to shatter the silence of the night.

All would chuckle when Auxelgard fell behind due to his mounts need of relief. Khels nodded to the creature that now rode beside him, while Kat and Finner kept up their original pace; she figured he'd catch up when ready. That was until Auxelgard made his move. It wasn't so much the roar of the fire that would capture their attention, as it was the scream of man and horse. When the fire struck them, setting material ablaze, melting metal, burning flesh, and singeing hair, they immediately reacted. Both she and Finner turned about upon their steeds, with a sharp twist of reins, in time to see the act taking place. Finner was immediately in motion, riding fast as he past Kat to head towards the fire breathing creature with swords now drawn. "Get out of here." Finner would yell towards her when he passed. It took but a moment for the scene to be assessed, and usually she would have stayed to confront and battle, but there were bigger fish to fry and surely Finner would finish the creature off in a short period of time. A spurn of heels deep into the sides of that war horse, and the two would shoot off into a full gallop down the road, heading towards the city.

The beast he sat upon roared with a voice so mighty that it made it made a war horn sound like the mew of a kitten. It rose up onto its back legs, massive clawed feet tearing at the air before it came down with enough force to shake the ground. Auxelgard reached into his cloak, pulling forth a massive mace that looked as if it was crafted from the head of five dragons, their maws open and fangs bared. Raising it to the sky, he bellowed loudly in a fell tongue before spurring the beast to a charge, the creature lowing its massive tusks towards Finner, aiming to either impale him, or the horse, with the lance like tusks.

Khels fell from his mount, rolling on the ground to put out the flames and stop the burning that encased his body. His mount would dart off into the forest, bucking and screaming still due to its own inflicted wounds. When Finner seen the weapon being brandished and the lowering of the beast being ridden head, and those tusks. He decided to live another day and reined his mount to veer off into the woods. Going after Khels' injured horse, and the intent to go back and collect his friend and co-worker. He'd figure out excuses later, if he survived the moment. All he did know, is that tonight he didn't want to die, and not over a woman. As for the Norse, she and her mount were gaining speed and distance. The sensation of the ground pounding and bellow was the fuel to quicken their pace. She was nearly laid flat upon the back of her racing equine; her body leaned over its neck, to offer better aerodynamics to their fast moving pace.

Khels was left alone, for he wasn't his goal. If he could survive the horrible burns from the glowing chain-mail and the fires from his breath, good for him. If not, well Auxelgard really didn't give a d**n. He might go back and deal with them after he completed his goal any way. Either way, he was spurring the creature on to its full quickly, the massive beast sprinting down the dirt road, tearing up clods with terrible claws. Even still, she had distance on her side, his creature could match the speed of even the swiftest of horses, and it really shone with its endurance. This was not one of those times that it helped. So he had to rely on other tricks. The creature rumbled something loudly, arcane words flowing through the air as the creature disappeared from the crest of the hill. Instead of behind her, she would now see the mount and rider to her front, barreling towards her like a siege engine.

Finner would collect the injured horse, then return to collect his fallen comrade who was in serious shape. He would assist him upon his horse, and then quickly lead him back towards the Inne. To gain first aide for his friend before he would set off to find Randell and make a report. She had been riding at full steam ahead, when suddenly that which she rode away from she was now riding towards. Its sudden appearance before her immediately proved this would be a mismatched confrontation. Sitting up and reining back, caused the horse to rear as it whinnied in protest to the action. It was then she'd kick his sides and rein him towards the dense forest; at least here she had a chance. Or so she thought. It was dark, and so were those leathers worn, which would aide her to blend with the shadows somewhat. Once they rode for a few yards, while the horse was still in motion, she'd slip from his back to tumble to the ground with a thud and grunt. The horse continued to run through the forest, it knew where it was to head. She would quickly scramble to find a better place to hide from her pursuer.

He spurred the creature onwards, though pulled hard on the chains as they neared the forest, making him growl loudly and offer a roar of protest that would make people for miles around think a dragon was upon them. Despite this, he shrugged the cloak from his shoulders, stuffing it into a saddle bag before pulling free his helm, hooking the mask on the saddle and dismounting as he looked to the forest. Slapping the side of the beast, he sent it on its way before placing the helm upon his head. Taking a slow and deep breath, he walked into the forest before tilting his head upwards. With another sharp roar of fire, rolling flames spread up and out from the mask of the helm, lighting the branches all around him and bringing fire to the patch of forest he started to wade into, gripping the massive mace in one hand, leaving the other free as he bellowed. "Where are you!"

She was in hiding; did he truly expect her to call out her location? She'd mark that down as to the male equation of the creature now hunting her down. It was at this moment that realization hit her, of the story he shared back at the Inne. Yes, he was sent to cause Osiris pain, but not to him directly, indirectly, and she was the weapon to wield the blow. She also knew what Osiris' reaction would be, and this only infuriated her more. The beast would indeed draw the man out by attacking her. But she'd be d**ned if her body pieces would be used to paint the town. She was near a hallowed out tree, the insides rotten from years of water damage and that of insects. She used it to also mask her scent, having rubbed up against it to help cover her own. Cursing having not brought her sword, it was back at the Inne, she'd draw the only weapon on her person which was the long twin bladed dagger. A low crouch as he gave away his position by the use of fire. This would have her slowly inching from the chosen spot to begin working through the damp foliage. Working to circle behind the massive creature that continued to light his way and hers too.

Another deep breath was taken, chest swelling under the armor as he reached up to yank his helm free, knowing that if he continued with such fires, he'd melt it. Instead he slung it upon a hooked chain, resting on his belt. What came from him next was not a breath of flame, but a pair of sharply focused beams. In fact it was that she was on her hands and knees through the dirt that saved her. These two beams crossed each other as they both made a one hundred and eighty degree arc in front of him, the heat so focused, great and localized that it acted as a pair of massive, super-heated blades that felled the trees as if the god of lumber jacking had clear cut everything within sixty feet in front of him. Embers and trees rained around her, the fires quickly starting to spread as he breathed in the smoke, a deep and terrible laugh offered up as he brought the mace down hard into the trunk of a burning tree, cinders and splinters exploding out as if it had been hit by an artillery shell, leaving the burning hulk crashing behind him. "Show yourself or I'll burn you alive and feast on your flesh in front of him!"

What in the name of Odin was that thing? Is this what dragons were capable of? And if so, what of the Dracolich? Questions compounding questions that were quickly pushed to the back of her mind. Trees were crashing down around her, small fires popping up and falling cinders that had her curling to shield herself whilst it happened. Then his bellowed word as she slowly moved to continue her stalking of what was now her prey. She had one advantage, she knew where he was, and he didn't know where she was. Soon her motion would have her coming from behind him, keeping low and moving slowly and silently until she was within striking distance. It was then she ran as fast as she could to jump up on the beasts back. With his helm now removed, it allowed an open access to strike. Her dagger would be coming down with the intent of driving deep into its neck or shoulder, which ever she could find to plunge her blade into.

- Continued .....

[Ekaterina]

He was still searching, keen eyes gazing through the smoke and flames for his prey. "Impudent wench..." He growled softly. It wasn't until she broke into a full run did he hear her over the crackling fires. She got the drop on him and he staggered with the impact of her on his back. Howling in rage, he turned in place, trying to hurl her off but to no avail. The knife bit deep into his neck, rich, thick bright red blood oozed out of him as he cried out in terrible pain. Something shifted under her feet and she would suddenly find herself being launched backwards as chain bound wings erupted from his back, a massive span of twenty four feet wide bat shaped wings erupting with enough force to not only throw her clear, but flare the fires around them. He shouter in anger, whirling about as blood sprayed from the wound, his free hand moving over it to try and stop the bleeding while a dull red light throbbed between the wound and his hand.

The roar of pain to be the prize she'd collect when her blade bit deep. It was drawn out with a twisting action to inflict more damage as she prepared for another strike. A strike that wouldn't come, when suddenly she felt something shift and soon she was airborne, backwards, then hit the ground with a hard thud and a grunt of having the wind knocked out of her. It took her a moment to regain her breath and her bearings as those icy shards would fix upon the now bleeding dragon. They would narrow upon it, fire and ice was the comparison of the two. "That ones for Khels." She'd growl out towards him, as if saying she was intending on keeping score and adding to it. While he took the moment to deal with his wound that gave her time to regain her footing and make good a second attack. She knew better than to move directly at him, and that she needed to keep anything she could between herself and his breath weapon or that of eyes. Never remaining at a same height, nor was her chosen path straight as she zigged and zagged around broken and fire damaged foliage. Her second attack wouldn't be close like that of her first. While in motion, she worked free one of her many darts that laid hidden within the many folds of leather. Unsure what effects any of the venom's would have, if any, but she had to take a chance. That of the King Cobra had been used in her latest encounters, and thus still upon her person. Moving quickly, she would then come to a sudden stop as the small flute like object was lifted to her lips and she'd release the needle in his direction. So tiny was the item, that it wouldn't be easily detectable by a human eye. That same neck to be its intended destination, then she'd be on the move again trying to put some distance between she and the creature.

"I'm going to let my nightmare beast eat him after this." He growled back, removing his hand and balling it into a fist. The wound that had been inflicted had been knit shut, a large scab over the wound with scales quickly forming back over it, discolored and misshapen where a scar would soon be. The mouths of the mace started to snap and snarl, as if they had come to life, each of them looking upon her as she started to circle and strafe him. The dart was so small, and with all the ash in the air, it was very hard to see if the dart had hit him or not, though that was the least of her worries, for he blitzed towards her, with a shout, charging her at an angle that would connect with her current path, if unchanged. However, he did something very odd during this. The mace was hefted over his head and hurled, not at her, but behind her, sailing end over end horizontally as it skimmed past her and impacted a burning tree with enough force to cause it to explode into cinders and embers. However it bounced back at an angle that it came flying to her side in an effort to blind side her, aimed to her calves in an attempt to knock her down.

She was already running in a sporadic zig zagging motion, sometimes zigging twice before she'd zag, never the same pattern twice. She would attest that to why the mace missed her, as it whirled passed and behind. She would however move into another direction since he got so near. The impact and explosion had her duck and shift yet again in position of motion. This would keep her from being bulldozed by his large form, but not avoid the weapon that hunted her down as it retracted in a different angle than from its origin. A pain shot through her right leg when she felt the impact that caused her to be thrust forward and face down upon the ground. Teeth gritted as the pain seared through her leg, then the spitting and sputtering of dirt and debris that ended up in her mouth and covered her face. She was unsure if it had broken her leg, though it sure as hell felt like it at the moment. Pulling her left knee beneath her to help rise upwards, she'd attempt to seek cover as she dragged her injured leg behind. Perhaps then she could gain a moment to refocus and put the pain behind her so she could continue on. Crawling towards what looked to be a possible bear or wolves den, it was a hole in the ground covered by underbrush and the heavy coating of ivy that ran beneath the large roots of a now fallen tree.

With her face on the ground she'd get a perfect view of the mace actually bouncing off her leg and back into his hand, his lips pulling up in a massive snarl as she pushed herself to a stand. He was after her in a heartbeat, nearly upon her by the time she started to make progress. He was not charging her this time, but instead jogging towards her, clearly intent on over powering her, and unless she slowed him down, she would not make it to the cave. Each tree he passed by was smashed apart by the mace, spreading the fire that surrounded him and glowed off the armor, making him look far more like a demon than a dragon. With a sudden rush, wings flapped behind him, sending him lunging after her and off the ground a few feet, spinning through the air and slinging a plate mail wrapped tail aimed at her side with nearly as much power as the mace behind it, though with more reach. Dodged or not, it would leave him landing on his feet once again as he shouted. "You don't have to make this any harder on yourself!"

She could hear him behind her, and it was the combination of pure adrenaline, determination, and the will to live that drove her onwards. Using nearby tree trunks and those broken to assist in her balance as she forged on. Then the sound of his running was replaced by that of wings flapping. This alerted her that he had taken to the air, and it would be this reason for her next action alone. If he was in the air, she needed to duck closer to the ground to become less of a target. With a grunt she fell to left knee and hands, just as that tail swung dangerously close over her head. Glaring back at the dragon, teeth bared like a wild animal about to strike as she hissed. "If you think I'll give you my head on a silver platter, you're sadly mistaken." She also knew she was running out of alternatives, due to her injured leg and only a dagger for a weapon, her choices weren't many at all. At least if she was going to die, it would be fighting till the end. When he landed upon his feet a few yards away, she’d use the tree at her side to assist in her stance. It was then she'd turn to face towards him, dagger clutched tightly in hand.

"Bah! I've had enough of this!" He spat the words out in anger, throwing his hand out to her, his palm open and fingers spread as he hurled the spell upon her. As all spells, they had a chance of failure, some relied up the will power of others, others fortitude or sheer reflexes to dodge it. This one being the power of mental will, and she seemed to have a lot of it left. It was a long shot, but a shot worth taking. Should it succeed she'd feel the pin pricks of numbness over her flesh, a numbness that would quickly spread into a strong form of paralysis that would take over her whole form that would leave her with nothing left save the base needs to live.

"On that we do agree!" Growled in return to his spat. She was prepared for him to rush forward, and not prepared for what he did next. How she detested the arcane and its use. At least the one he used upon her, she wasn't completely defenseless against, she had a strong will, and she was Norse after all! But, she was also injured and the occasional surges of pain in accompaniment with the prior exertions did take its toll. She'd feel the effects of the spell upon her but it wouldn't completely paralyze her in the way he hoped. Feeling her knees begin to weaken, she'd drive her dagger into the tree she stood beside and hold onto it to try and regain her footing. Even the strongest of wills could be broken in time, when effecting factors were added in, they'd be broken faster. More like her entire body just simply went to sleep would be the full affect, like when ones foot falls asleep after sitting upon it for too long. Her grasp upon that dagger to weaken and soon she'd slump to the ground. Anger surged through her, and a hatred that was just as strong. To rob her of her ability to fight back was a coward’s way in her mind. Although, the thought would not pass lips that remained mute in that semi-paralytic state. But it allowed it to be easily read in the glare of icy shards that continued to rest upon the dragon.

With his foe felled but unharmed, for the most part, he dropped the mace into a ring around his belt where it would rest. He strode over to her prone body and crouched down onto his haunches over her, poking her slightly. "Well hello down there, how are you doing!?" He smiled warmly to them as the forest burned in an inferno around them, the fires starting to spread and the air around them over a hundred and fifty at this point. "You are quite a pain to deal with, you know." He gave a smirk as he reached down and grabbed hold of her, his hand wrapping into her clothes, pushing her into the tree as he lifted her up from the ground, leaving her feet dangling several feet off the ground as he held her at eye level. "I hope you know you signed the death warrants of those two men. I'm going to do, horrible, horrible things to them...and you could have stopped it by coming quietly. Very cruel of you." He yanked her away from the tree as he lifted her higher up to let her clear the flames, though of course the heat was painfully strong when she passed by one. Though they were out of the forest soon enough, and as he passed over the road and into the farming fields. "I can't help but wonder if those fires will spread to these crops." He shrugged and dropped her onto the soil, letting out a massive roar to call his beast back. "Don't go anywhere."

- Continued ....

[Ekaterina]

Now she knew exactly what a rag doll felt like. He lifted her and tossed her about as if she was one herself. She couldn't respond verbally, she'd let her eyes speak volumes for themselves, as well as throwing daggers of looks in his direction. Then he made mention of Randells two men. Gods how she wanted to punch him directly in the nose. She tried to make a fist, but it only resulted in a light curl of fingers. How she tried to will her hand to cooperate, but it did nothing but that. Then the mention of crops and their ruination, it only deepened her anger and hatred more. In her mind, she was making a pact. If she survived this in any way, she was going to make him pay, dearly. A slow agonizing death. Then dropped to the ground as the scent of fresh earth now hit her nostrils and helped to rid of that created by the smell of burnt foliage and wood. Don't go anywhere? Oh, what a comedian he was! She'd watch him the best she could with what angle she was given in laying.

He was tempted to just step on her head and be done with it, or throw her back into the fires and let her burn to death, but no. She was needed alive. With the ground rumbling lightly, she would feel the arrival of the massive beast before she saw it. She would also get an odd view of him reaching into his saddle bags and taking forth bindings, shackles and chains in specific, as well as some rope. Her ankles and wrists were shackled together, which hen in turn where tied together before she was hoisted onto he saddle with him, laying across the front of it as he scooted back on the saddle to give her some room. It was only after this did he lift the spell from her. "Now I'm going to be kind enough to not gag you. Do not make me change my mind."

Shackled and bound, it did little to help the pain of her right calf. The pain was more throbbing than searing at the moment, which was a tell-tale sign that nothing was broken. Yet, the injury did cause enough pain to make her grimace as she was jostled about and then placed over his saddle in such a manner. Then the numbness began to slowly ebb from her body and sensations were full again. A long moment of silence to follow before she'd speak. "You could at least let me sit up before you, so the pain in my leg won't be as bad." Not that she figured the beast would care or offer mercy of any type. In her mind, his intent was to kill her and dismember her, she had no reason to think otherwise, so why would he care if she was comfortable or not!?

"Very well." He offered a curt nod and removed the shackles of her ankles and those that connected them to her wrist shackles. However, he did tie a rope around her waist to his own before picking her up and setting her down correctly upon the saddle. "Hold still." He reached down and grabbed the wounded leg firmly, that same throbbing red glow that came from his hand after covering the now fully healed wound would do the same to her, and the pain would quickly fall away, the bruised bone and torn muscles repairing themselves. Even the minor burns, scrapes and cuts she had gotten in the forest had healed.

One surprise after another with this creature. First he nearly kills her, now he's healing her and placing her in a better position of comfort. She did flinch when he reached for her leg, not knowing his intention until it was done. Brows furrowed in puzzlement and she'd now look back at him over her shoulder, since she was fashioned to his front by way of ropes. "If you intend to kill and dismember me, why the mercy being shown now?" No harm in asking, especially if she was going to die.

"I don't. I was sent here to kidnap you by the dragon. Most of what I told you was true, though I'm not out to kill Osiris. I'm just working so I can get this crown. If I could kill the lich and take it, I would." He said with a low growl, clearly unappeased by the turn of events. "I'm to deliver you to him, and then get more commands." He gave a shrug and spurred the creature onwards off the fields towards the road. "Not going to kill you...don't even bloody want to do this to you."

Now that was a bit surprising, she was being abducted? The dragon was behind this? Her head to turn slightly and look back at him before focus was on the path they now moved along. "What if there were other ways to get that crown?” If he didn't want to do this, then perhaps she could talk some sense into him before they got too far away from her lands and the people she could count on. "What if Osiris can help you? If he learns of what you've done, he won't be looking to help you at all, but hunt you down." It was obvious as to why she was being taken now, but what was to be done to her once her destination was reached? Would she simply vanish as the other women had and never missed? "If you don't want to do this, only you can stop it. Right now you have a chance to do the right thing." Why not play on that sympathy card and the better good speech?

"If you say 'the right thing' again, I will see to it that not only are you sent back to the lich, but you arrive their hog tide and with a sock in your mouth." He countered back with a deep scowl, the lumbering beast traveling along the road. "Or worse. As far as Osiris, I know not the man, but I know few can match me in blade or in spell, at least Divine. I am not one for the Arcane. So how would Osiris be of aid to me if he is as unable to defeat such a mighty beast as I?"

A simple glare back at him with the threat placed out there, but she wouldn't spat back with a sharp retort of her own. Osiris and Randell always said her tongue could be as sharp as any dagger, but she felt now was not the time or place. When he asked about Osiris, she'd just offer a bit of a shrug. She wouldn't allow too much information to be given, in case he was trying to feel it out. "He's a man of means that might surprise you. Who's to say he couldn't defeat you? I've seen him defeat one of your kinds before." And she had, even if it was her sword that plunged through its heart to take its life in the end. Osiris had fought it till it had nothing left to fight with. "He seems confident in being able to fight the Dracolich, which you say you cannot." A glance back at him. "You don't know the man, so how can you discredit his abilities?"

"You do not know me, so how can you be so confidant of his over mine?" He retorted back with a raised brow, looking down to her with a smirk. "Such is always the case with two unknowns. The key is confidence. If ever one looked at their foe and had no confidence then there would be no one to fight. And furthermore, saying he has defeated one of 'my kinds', is like saying that I have defeated a human, so I can slay them all. We are extremely varied creature." The beast lumbered on and growled something out, to which he did the same in kind before speaking up again. "He is an unknown, while I know that the Dracolich would be my better if he thinks he can defeat the lich, then he is either a fool, or a force nearing the level of the Divines, the latter of which I doubt greatly. Besides...the lich and I are of the same flight."

As much as she hated to admit it, the creature made some good points, and valid ones. He also gave a bit more information about himself that would be stored in the recesses of her mind. "So I'm the payment for your bejeweled crown. At least it's nice to know I'm worth something to someone." Stated in a sarcastic tone. "And what is to be my fate once I'm delivered to the lich?" Seeking more information if she could. She would also use the time of travel to think and plot for any chance to escape. Be it en-route or soon after their arrival. As long as she lived and breathed, she'd take any chance to be offered to her. And, she would keep good her word on hunting this beast down, even if he was being kind at the moment and showing mercy to his catch.

"Well you must be worth something to Osiris, it sounds like he will be greatly disturbed by your loss." He gave a small shrug, rubbing his chin with the back of the gauntlet. "I have no idea what the lich has planned for you, and I imagine I shall have to do more than this to garner the crown. But one way or another I'll get my grips upon it. Really is a hassle. Far different from my usual plan of kill and take what I want...least it livens some things up."

"There will be many disturbed by my loss and that will seek out to find me and vengeance against any that takes part in my harm." Glancing back at him again. "Osiris will only be a part of it, which I can assure you. I have no doubt that there are those that will rally a hunting party as soon as they learn of my disappearance. It’s not like they won't know who or what you are." Honesty was the best policy, no matter the circumstance. If he was able to be reasoned with, she'd at least try during their trek.




- To be continued ....