Rise of the Dark Handed (Adult Content/Series) [Archive]

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niko_teen

04-24-2007, 01:55 AM

Chapter ISchool Niko closed his eye and rubbed at it with the palm of his hand. He longed to be out of this boring lecture that he was receiving as to the muscle structure of a froglock's legs giving it the ability to spring several feet into the air repeatedly.For his entire life he had been torn between his studies and the feel of warm grass beneath his bare feet. His steward in a vain attempt to get him to spend more time on studies traded the knowledge of an assassin to Niko for the pledge that he would work on his studies.The steward who had been the one to raise him always pushed for Niko to study the arcane and priestly arts hoping against hope that he would show some aptitude in either art. It was not the place for one with a family name to take on the skills of an assassin but to be a mage or priest.Yet it seemed the only skills he truly grasped were those taught to him by the steward. Only Niko's thirst to learn more of the assassin arts gave him the drive to study the arcane magics. For only when he was able to learn another piece of the art was the steward willing to teach him more. It seemed that the curse of his mixed blood seemed to favor being a scout rather then a mage.It was not that his heritage had ever been hidden from him. As long as he could remember his steward had told him stories of his mother. A Teir'Dal cleric from a regal if minor family, she had survived the age of war only to die after birthing him and his twin sister.There had been strife amongst the family as to what to do with the two children within the very hour that they had been birthed. Even though he had been lucky enough to be born with the signature ashy blue-gray skin of the Teir'Dal his sister had been born with the richly tanned skin of a Fer'Dal. Her skin tone admitted to the fact that there was also Fer'Dal blood in his veins if not as obviously.While the members of the family fought over what to do with the children the family steward stepped forward to raise them. In the time that it took Niko to grow in young adulthood the family had not yet decided what to do with his sister.All of the time his sister spent her time locked away in box in the basement of the family's estate. All were in agreement that it was too shameful to admit that one of the family had breed with a wood elf, and yet at the same time none could agree as to what to do with her. She was of the family blood after all.In their indecisiveness Niko's sister was left in the box to wallow in her filth and the lid opened only to pass her substance and for weekly cleanings of the box and her body. By the time that she was old enough to stand on her own a magiced helm had been placed over her head. Her strawberry blond hair and blood red eyes irked the servants who had started to notice the similar facial structure that she bore to young Niko.The offending servants were all put to death and the helm enchanted so that it would adjust size with her as she grew. The metal covered her face like a tight leather glove over ones hand with only two openings for her nostrils and one for her mouth.Even though Niko had been beaten severely for each time he was caught sneaking down to the basement to be with his twin he did so at a regular basis. In the middle of the night he would sneak down the stairs to lie next to the iron bound box that housed his sister.Together they would play small games tapping out rhythmic patterns against the sides of the box. Niko would even go as far as to tell her each night what he had learned during the day. When he would tell her of the shamanistic studies that he had been subjected to she seemed to be particularly interested in tapping fiercely at the side of the box as if urging him to continue. Even though he had even less of a grasp as to the priestly magic he argued with his teachers to teach him anyway so that he could relay the information to his sister.Before the Rending that tore the world asunder his family had already relocated to the relative safety of Freeport and when he reach the passage into manhood he was enrolled in arcane college in North Freeport. He didn't have the right to chose to continue to study the skills of a scout and the mage arts were the only acceptable talents that he could muster no mater how poorly."Necepherous!," professor Darius shouted as he slammed his hand against the table breaking Niko's day dreaming."Yes?," Niko mocked kicking his feet up onto the elongated curved desk that the rest of the students used as a writing table he shot the professor a grin."Do you care to pay attention or would you rather get back to your nap?""If that is an offer I think I'll choose the nap.""That's it! Get out! Get out now!," Darius screamed as ripples of laughter passed through the classroom's auditorium."My pleasure," Niko mumbled under his breath as he took to his feet and scooped up his books."And don't bother to come back tomorrow either.""Awe, but professor that is what you said last time." Niko had intended to say more but a ball of focused energy leapt from Darius' hand throwing him backward clear to the double doors that lead out of the classroom.Feeling a tingling burning sensation over his entire body Niko tried to force himself up to no avail. All he could hear was Darius instructing the class to reference a certain page in their text books as he restarted his lecture.Trying once more to roll himself over the world slowly started to darken as he felt his consciousness fade.<>

Sha

04-24-2007, 11:35 AM

*shakes finger* thats what you get for back-chatting!

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 11:42 AM

ROTFLMAO I've got a girl perminantly locked in a iron box and you comment on the back-talking. I'm sorry i jsut cannot help but to laugh at that.

Sha

04-24-2007, 11:55 AM

yes well, i was trying not to think about the girl in the box =. hmph, don't complain about the way i think! i'll only keep doing it and that'll eventually make you mad <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 12:15 PM

heheheh I'm not complaing I was litterally laughing. It not in a mean way. its jsut in ah oh blah well whatever. *shakes finger at Shado* No more shaking fingers at me. I'm a grumpy old man and I can do whatever i want to.

Keera

04-24-2007, 12:19 PM

I really can't help but wonder what you'd do all day long in a box... and the different ways to try and kill yourself....

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 12:53 PM

Yuo'll find out what a person does after living in an locked box for their entire life. But i wont say know cause it is a topic that will covered at a later time. So yeah if I end up posting on this thread as often as i plan on (1 here per 3 - 4 on the rending) then you'll know within a month or so what she did with all of that spare time on her hands.

Sha

04-24-2007, 12:55 PM

why do i get an eerie, creepy feeling when i think about having spare time and being locked in a box? meh.. silly well written eeriness =P

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 01:01 PM

cause that is the point.

Tain

04-24-2007, 01:15 PM

I like this start <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Just keep the fae torture down to a minimum <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 01:31 PM

TYAnd FTR (For the record, I say that a lot and also say "Make sense" a whole bunch too) I do not forsee a whole butt load of fae toture. Even though i do squeal in delight everytime you get all testy over the little critters I still don't see much of it. My plan is to mix the Freeport of Ekuthh & Valk with my own darker visions attached to my own darker visions.But then again if anyone finds the path i plan on taking a little too dark for their taists then rejoyce int eh face that I writting it. Stop i does make sense. MY twised sadistic muse has to have a place to vent her darker side so by startiung this story line I can vent all of that then get back to Tea and company.

Tain

04-24-2007, 01:32 PM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Even though i do squeal in delight everytime you get all testy over the little critters </blockquote> <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Maybe my DE persona will have to read this story hahaha

Velissa

04-24-2007, 01:44 PM

Hehe, now another story to keep straight in my head!!! Thanks Niko!!!!

Sha

04-24-2007, 01:45 PM

my main toon is a DE and she still respects fae, she's a druid though, torture isn't her thing =P

valkry

04-24-2007, 02:33 PM

Just for the record (ack, now I'm channeling Niko too, bah) a certain ranger and I don't have any particular vendetta against Fae (well most of my toons don't, but that is much much later in the tale), it's just we jointly recognized the fabulous potential they had as weapons (in addition to musical instruments). But my point is, and Shado can be a witness, said grumpy ranger did infact assist my baby 'goth fae' (moth fae?) in hunting this week. And now back to the dark, dark, dark side of Freeport.

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 02:50 PM

Tainda - well maybe the DE personality would enjoy the story a little more. But a the same time the horrified look on the face of you fae as I glide through some of the scenes that i have boiling in my head would make me giggle in delight. Sorry cannot help myself.Velissa - You're welcome. I'm sur you head will ache constantly as i attempt to use bit and peices of both Valk and Ekuthh's story lines. Eventually you may ever get struck with a migraine from trying to remember is that Niko's Darius or Ekuthhs and at which part int eh timeline are they synced.Shado - Bad inky, have i taught you nothing. *sighs and thinks about maybe rescending her Nikotte status* Toture is a very useful means of getting information as well as a great sorce of plot developement. Peeps generally have hardlinned feelings about how toture is bad. But if you can convince them to maybe see it from a different side or or better yet have them agree with the toture scene then the book is that much strong for it.Valk - All to true, Maybe we should move some of out hafling tossing versus gnome tossing conversations out of PMs and onto the boards? What it's not out fault the haflings jsut have a different center of balance and are much easier to toss, with the gnomes it's more of a lob and not as easy to aim.

Tain

04-24-2007, 02:55 PM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Tainda - well maybe the DE personality would enjoy the story a little more. But a the same time the horrified look on the face of you fae as I glide through some of the scenes that i have boiling in my head would make me giggle in delight. Sorry cannot help myself.</blockquote>Have your laughs!!! We shall take over the world in time!!!<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Keera

04-24-2007, 04:00 PM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Yuo'll find out what a person does after living in an locked box for their entire life. But i wont say know cause it is a topic that will covered at a later time. </blockquote>Bah, I'll just pick your brain, you know you can't resist me and will blurp it all out, then you know I will say rubbish, you would never do that in a box and you will rewrite it to what girls would REALLY do in a box. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

valkry

04-24-2007, 04:09 PM

Bah. New post & already on page 2, 10 fan replies (not including my Fae abuse disclaimer)./stalks off demoralized and jealous of all Niko's groupies.

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 04:11 PM

Well I do have to listen to Yeena (oshun_x) and similar to Tea just can't resist her. I am prepared to put up a good fight tho so we'll see what it all comes to in the end.This is kinda crazy in after thought tho. I mean I've been doing the shattering series for a year now and my two lead females have FINALLY showed up to the forums. Dang you and Rose taking your sweet time.

Keera

04-24-2007, 04:13 PM

I just slow... you should know that by now <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I just really didn't need another thing to distract me from work... I mean I am getting paid to be here working really, not BSing with you. 'Cept that the latter is much more fun. ;o) And while we are at it... maybe this board might be intersted to know that you have been mispelling my characters name, but I guess that's called artistic freedom, so I can't hold it against you. hehe

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 04:19 PM

don't be disheartened Valk I still psychoticly hit the refresh on your story whether or not the forums tell me that there is anything new to be viewed there or not. And there are a lot more tuned into the sisters then you would believe. I just well, I don't know we've got a lot of masochist readers that tune into the grumpy mean old ranger for some reason. That or it's the mullet. Yeah definately the mullet.

Velissa

04-24-2007, 04:32 PM

<cite>valkry wrote:</cite><blockquote>Bah. New post & already on page 2, 10 fan replies (not including my Fae abuse disclaimer)./stalks off demoralized and jealous of all Niko's groupies.</blockquote> There there Valkry, don't let the post count get you down. it is just the newness of this one driving it. Yeah, yeah, thats it!!!

Ekuthh

04-24-2007, 06:09 PM

Apparently, I am the only one here without any qualms or morals...Kerrans, Fae, Halflings... they're all fair game. Anything to raise the "ick" factor. If you only knew what I would write if the boards would allow it... mwhahahhahahahaha.Careful, though- Necepherous is liable to end up "assisting" the good Professor with some extra-curricular activities if he isn't wise. Darius has little tolerance for sloth or willfulness...

Ekuthh

04-24-2007, 06:13 PM

Now then, where was I?/em picks up quill and resumes writing chapter five...

Tain

04-24-2007, 06:14 PM

<cite>Ekuthh wrote:</cite><blockquote>Now then, where was I?/em picks up quill and resumes writing chapter five...</blockquote> Yay!!*dances around as much as she can on her broken leg*

niko_teen

04-24-2007, 06:27 PM

*leaves teh raid on valks house for a minute after declaring a 5 minute AFK for the entire raid to bio and refill their raid cups*Shhh cody I'm just going to make sure that he is sticking to his side of the bargin.*peers through the window and can't help but to let out a rather femine squeal of delight. Then clamping his hand ov erhis mouth he looks back through the window again to see Ekuthh no long sitting at his desk and the scythe, that he had been sure was only used for trimmign the bushes, was also missing* Oh crap.

Amethest

04-25-2007, 04:33 PM

lol woot yea finish trimming his hair for him ekuth <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

04-26-2007, 12:55 AM

Niko hadn't known how long he'd been knocked out for only that a sharp pain in his ribcage brought him conscious quickly."If you're going to die have the common decency to wander outside where the staff wont have to worry about cleaning up your mess," a sinisterly familiar human voice scolded him. "And if you decide to find a priest willing to heal you then class starts again tomorrow bright and early. Be prepared for a rather lengthily dissection."He rolled onto his side and slowly pushed himself up onto all fours. It had been a long time since he had been battered nearly as much as he was now. After decades of sneaking in to visit his sister he'd grown quite accustom to sneaking around and was rarely caught in the act. No matter how well he could blend into the shadows of his old home it did not help him now.Reaching with the fingers of one hand Niko probed about the area where the ball of energy had struck him. He could feel the sticky wet blood that drenched the clothes around the wound where he had been struck.Even with his vision impaired by a cloudiness that didn't seem to clear when he blinked his eyes he could make out the form of what looked to be the human professor walking away.Clamping one hand over the seeping wound he climbed the rest of the way to his feet. As foggy as his vision was he could still make out the pool of blood half seeped into the lecture hall and half of it make a slippery puddle on the hall. The moment that he stood fully erect a wash of dizziness passed over him forcing him to lean against the wall in order to not fall back to the ground.Standing in the hall with one hand braced against the wall for balance he couldn't subdue the hacking cough that came over him. Every time his diaphragm seized expelling the air from his lungs small speckles of blood flew forth also filling his mouth with the earthy iron taste.As the coughing fit passed he forced himself from hunched over back to his full height.You're no weak pathetic Koada'Dal, he thought to himself. A Teir'Dal does not crawl across the floor like so many other weak races of Norrath. He carries himself stiff and erect no mater the pain nor impending doom that he faces.Clenching his fist tight to seal off the wound he turned his wrist to further cut off the blood flow and also shoot spears of pain all long his side. The pain and the hatred mixed together would be enough to sustain him.Niko did not want to but found himself leaning against the wall as he moved along. His blood soaked robes leaving a trail of smeared blood as he made his way.Whether it was by the hand of Innurok or some cruel twist of fate the ogress Naomai stepped around a corner and past him. Like so many of the others who must have walked past his bleeding body on the ground she past him with feigned ignorance.Not wanting to appear weak no matter his current state he pushed himself off the wall and strode past her doing his best to appear as regal as his blood line. He avoided eye contact as she passed him headed in the other direction down the hall. To do so may have been taken as challenge and he was in no shape to fight off a child in his current state.Whether the image was one conjured in his mind or one that he say he wasn't completely sure. Yet Niko could have sworn that he saw her crack an especially fierce grin. A grin, not off pride watching one of her students but, closer along the lines of feral beast catching the scent of blood on the wind.As he stumbled through the common rooms of the academy he could make out the other students. Silence permeated the room announcing his entrance and passage through the large open area. Had he been even the slightest bit worried about the ogress, it vanished from his mind the moment the deafening silence filled the room.He was wounded walking through a den of vipers. With the hand not clenching the wound closed; tightly he gripped the hilt of his slender dagger. Half the students and faculty in the room had reason to feel glee at his suffering. With all of the classes that he'd disrupted and sadistic pranks he had pulled anyone of them could easily take advantage of the situation to put and end to his being.The other half of the room were the students were the ones to give him more cause to worry. Human and Breed who might feel the need to prove them selves to their teachers and other students. The best way to avoid being a target of someone like Niko was to make an example of him now.Nodding to fellow classmate that he considered a friend or at least as close to a friend that anyone ever had living in Freeport he shambled across the room. Val'ven who aspired to be a necromancer did not return the gesture making Niko's attempt to gain allies in the room a mute gesture.When Val'ven in turn quickly stepped out of the room Niko figured that his fate was sealed. Part of him understood why he left, so that he in turn would not be marked as well. Oddly enough as the necromancy in training stood out of sight of the mob but still in line of sight through the door way Niko could feel some of his strength returning to him. Teir'Dal it seemed, as convoluted as they could be, were still not willing to see one of their own struck down by another race. Niko understood the cruel logic behind it as continued his shuffle not wanting to let he be known that his wound was closing. If the breed or humans started to believe that they could take out one Teir'Dal then the rest of the community of students was also a target.As Niko grew closer to the door that would lead him out of the common room to the streets of North Freeport it appeared that his fears were unwarranted. Until the last moment, before he was out of the vipers den, when a barbarian stepped out to block his path.Niko had expected one of the humans or breed to be the one to confront him. The large Halasian that Niko had never meet on personal basis only cocked a grin and drew back his fist as a predecessor to laying Niko out.Adrenaline surged into his system and Niko cracked a grin of his own. As the mighty fist of the Barbarian came thundering toward his face Niko shot his right foot out past the outside of the Halasian's left side.With his plant foot in position Niko easily ducked under the wildly thrown if not powerful strike. Pivoting on his ball of his right foot Niko spun himself to be squared off with the Halasian's back. Just as his steward had taught him growing up; it was more important to understand what you enemy is going to do next then to be able to take a blow.In position Niko produced his dagger and sprang a few feet into the air. The added force of lifting himself up into the air would be enough to sever the Halasian's spine as well as piece his heart. It wasn't needed in order to deliver the fatal blow but the brutality of the strike should drive home to the gathered students his status as a predator and not prey.A second too late to safe his own life the Halasian started to turn to face Niko. Loosing a feral blood lusting cry Niko brought the blade down. He could just start to feel the blade slipping between the T2 and T3 vertebrae. [Removed for Content] that professor Darius for ruining his blood lust with the inserted knowledge to as the names of the bones that would soon be separated from one another.The joy of the kill and hatred of Darius all ended in one moment with a concussive blast that erupted in the space between him and the Barbarian. The barbarian with only half of the blade driven into his back was flattened to the ground by the blast while Niko was thrown several feet away to slide across the polished marble floors.Even before he had come to a complete stop Niko bounded to his feet only to find a pair of enthrall chains bursting from the smooth marble surface to hold him in place."Enough!," a booming voice echoed though the room forcing Niko to clamp his hands over his ears in order to rupture his ear drums.

AvalonSpirit

04-28-2007, 04:23 PM

/gasp!! and to think you yelled at me when i told you my thoughts on starting another story line..... "focus on the first one" you said. "your not allowed to start another" you said..../looks for her big stick....now dang it thanks for getting me tied into another story. and.... ive still got to catch up on ekuth and the others..../sigh

niko_teen

04-28-2007, 09:50 PM

Hey it's not my fault that you decided to spend time with GW istead of lurkling the forums. And yes I'm still upset about you stealing my boy toy away from me.

AvalonSpirit

04-29-2007, 01:19 PM

stealing?? bah i saw him first........and um yeah.... so there <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

04-29-2007, 01:23 PM

First shmirst. I've seen brokeback mountain, I know in the end he'll come back to me.

AvalonSpirit

04-29-2007, 01:30 PM

oh gross.........

valkry

04-29-2007, 03:11 PM

Ok, I love a good Elf/Troll love story as much as anyone, but He's a really nice, kind Troll... well Tea, honey, I know you miss him, but its probably for the best that he lives with her... you are probably a bit to grumpy for him.

Keera

04-30-2007, 10:48 AM

Yarr! Tea is grumpier than a trollboy! <erased naughty comment about [Removed for Content] rangers for the peace of the board>

niko_teen

04-30-2007, 10:57 AM

*grumbles about the continueing femine plot to get him*

Tain

04-30-2007, 11:06 AM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>*grumbles about the continueing femine plot to get him*</blockquote> There is no plot. That's just your imagination.

niko_teen

04-30-2007, 11:20 AM

ROTFLMAO... When i first read "There is no plot. That's just your imagination." I though you were talking about this story. I was like HOW THE <a href="mailto:#$@" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#$@%</a> did you figure that out already? I haven't told anyone that i have no clue where this one is going to end up at, only that I write here when the rending is getting too lovey dovey for me to handle. *after a minute of thinking to figure out when Tanida really ment, grumbles about how conviently it is that a woman comes to tell him that the women as not out to get him. goes to the video store to rent another conspiracy theorist movie*

Tain

04-30-2007, 11:22 AM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>ROTFLMAO... When i first read "There is no plot. That's just your imagination." I though you were talking about this story. I was like HOW THE <a href="mailto:#$@" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#$@%</a> did you figure that out already? I haven't told anyone that i have no clue where this one is going to end up at, only that I write here when the rending is getting too lovey dovey for me to handle. *after a minute of thinking to figure out when Tanida really ment, grumbles about how conviently it is that a woman comes to tell him that the women as not out to get him. goes to the video store to rent another conspiracy theorist movie*</blockquote>That's what I did mean!! Yeah! I'm psychoti....I mean psychic!*shifty eyes*

niko_teen

04-30-2007, 11:36 AM

*wonders if Tainda's wings are what gives her, her psychic powers and also if pulling them off and eating the wings would give him said powers. Comptemplates the thought as he remember those old say no to snorting pixie dust video's from high school.*Hmmmmmmm You can eat a brownie I wonder is a fae eatable like brownies or bad like pixies or maybe some clever mix inbetween

Tain

04-30-2007, 11:50 AM

Pixie sticks!

Sha

05-05-2007, 08:23 AM

Fae aren't eatable, Shado tried that already when she was in Greater Faydark last, silly fae thought she was a friendly lion.. <img src="/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Brownies are edible, lots of earthy flavours from living so close to the ground. Best eaten stewed or skewered. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> As for the wings with power... hmmm *plans experiments* What magical properties do they have... *gets distracted* Are they flammable? *watches several fae fly around screeching as thier wings burst into flame* <img src="/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Flammable; yes *ticks off a box* <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (edited because my spelling is severely lacking)

valkry

05-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Niko... time for a title, you have 3 forum pages & this is post 43, figure out what your story is called. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Sha

05-05-2007, 11:06 AM

HA! Valk has a point you know Niko =p though he might have to think to come up with a title, that could be scary... Niko, thinking!?.... hmmm.. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

05-05-2007, 12:49 PM

Well hmm..... Shado I appoint you to be head of the "Name Niko's new storyline" commity. so yeah go ahead and make a new thread and start working the issue =). I'll be back sunday evening.

Sha

05-05-2007, 08:25 PM

Hahahahaha... no thanks <img src="/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> *resigns her newly appointed position before you can blink* *hides*<img src="/smilies/136dd33cba83140c7ce38db096d05aed.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

05-07-2007, 09:52 AM

awe... well i guess that is okay but instead of focusing my efforts to write any more on either story I'll have to sit back, relax and try to come up with a title before i write any more*grins evilly as he kicks his feet up on the desk subsequently knocking over a ink well*Darn it

Atria

05-07-2007, 10:54 AM

ACK! Write more! Name can come later !! LOL< Twitch >

Tain

05-08-2007, 10:45 AM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote>*grins evilly as he kicks his feet up on the desk subsequently knocking over a ink well*Darn it</blockquote>Clutz

niko_teen

05-08-2007, 10:56 AM

<cite>Tainda wrote:</cite><blockquote>Clutz </blockquote> Fairy*tosses Tainda out the window all paper airplane style*

Tain

05-08-2007, 11:01 AM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tainda wrote:</cite><blockquote>Clutz </blockquote> Fairy*tosses Tainda out the window all paper airplane style*</blockquote> <img src="/smilies/2e207fad049d4d292f60607f80f05768.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Don't make me pinch you!

Ekuthh

05-12-2007, 01:29 AM

Gods below, children. Must I do *everything* around here? <img src="/smilies/0320a00cb4bb5629ab9fc2bc1fcc4e9e.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Your title is:Rise of the Dark HandMake the most of it.......You're welcome. <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

05-12-2007, 01:58 AM

<cite>Ekuthh wrote:</cite><blockquote>Gods below, children. Must I do *everything* around here? <img src="/smilies/0320a00cb4bb5629ab9fc2bc1fcc4e9e.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Your title is:Rise of the Dark HandMake the most of it.......You're welcome. <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></blockquote>/bows to Ekuthh

valkry

05-12-2007, 10:36 AM

Niko, you need to be very nice to Ekuthh now.... He could have made you use "Fluffy Pink Bunnies of Doom" as your title.

niko_teen

05-12-2007, 10:56 AM

Well first off TY to everyone the submitter ideas Via PMs or email. But.......I REALLY liked Ekuthh's idea it actually fits totally and completely with where the story is going. But then again............. *wanders off to trimm the bushes around his house finding it rather convient that Ekuthh had a premonition of where the storyline is headed*

Sha

05-12-2007, 10:21 PM

yay! someone took my job XD

Ekuthh

05-12-2007, 11:31 PM

Yup. NOW GO READ MY THREAD! <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Sha

05-23-2007, 08:53 AM

i read your thread, are you happy now Ekuthh? <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Gratuitios

05-31-2007, 07:01 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if his sister turns out to be completely filled with hate and be a danger to elfity (humanity but elfity). Also, the worse the child is raised, the more it hates. <img src="/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

05-31-2007, 07:32 PM

Unfortiantly it will be awhile i think till you see =). The down fall of running two stories is that I have to divide my time between RL, the shattering, the game and rise of the darkhanded.But then again 90% of the time i say that. I start thinkign about the storyline and then I'm posting on it again lol.

niko_teen

08-09-2007, 12:45 PM

Chapter II The crowd of students that had filled the entrance way quickly departed as the show came to an end. Niko, still chained to the floor by the enthrall chains, haughtily watched as the stretcher bearers came and gathered the barley living Halasian. As the stretcher bearers had left so did the chains fall away from Niko. As luck would have it he had just enough time to bribe a clergy member to heal al of his wounds before Zofie had finished her meeting with her spiritual advisor.Several weeks back Niko had run into the young Teir'Dal lady outside of the Temple when she had come for some of her consultations with the clergy. At first she had blow him off which had only stirred his blood. Whether by his family name or his brash nature few had ever completely ignored him and nothing spurred his interest more then a woman who was not interested in him. So had she intrigued him that he had sent to Kaoi-Tai in order to find out more about her.He waited for a few moments before leaving. Caught between his want to see Zofie again and the furry that burned within him still at the same time his hatred started to win out. He had no need to spend his time waiting around for mixed blood impoverished Teir'Dal girl.With his mind made up Niko stalked into a nearby alley. His Kaoi-Tai body guards should be ever present at his side yet they had not bothered to intercede on his behalf in the classroom nor at the entrance way to the academy either."Out," Niko commanded was he was safely out of view of anyone passing along the main streets of North Freeport. Here within the city proper he was not worried about being accosted by the slews of beggars and vagrants the filled the poorer slum districts of the city."As you command master," responded Niko's childhood steward as he stepped out of the veil of shadows that had been concealing him."Where the hell were you today," Niko seethed. As the wounds on his body continued to heal his anger and zeal built."Master we are forbidden to interfere with the workings of academy.""And what if I had died at either point this morning?""Master I am pleased that you were not, but at the same time it is forbidden.""Enough," Niko interrupted speaking a little louder the he had meant to. "Then tell me, what were you able to ascertain about Zofie.""Her mother recently died and that is why she has been seeking solace at the temple," Niko's steward recounted in a near monotone. "As you suspected she is nearly destitute living with her sister, who is a member of the militia, in beggar's court.""Beggar court?," Niko questioned. "Surely longshadow alley?""No master, that is why it took me so long to confirm her residence as I to expected her to live there. Today as well they are having a viewing of the body.""Well that sounds like a plan then," Niko said with a smile that only seemed to touch one corner of his mouth."Master if I may be so bold," the steward waited for a nod of approval to continue before. "Why do you care about some insignificant twit? As I told you before I doubt that she is even full blooded. "Her sister is of mixed blood so there is no reason to not suspect that hers is tainted as well. Is there not a suitable lady out there that catches your eye?""The chase," Niko smirked as the same corner of his mouth only raised a hair. "It is all about the chase. I care nothing for the floosies that throw themselves on the ground. They have some use as entertainment but nothing more then that.""I understand master," the steward responded as he knelt on the ground before Niko. "I shall lead you to her domicile. Shall I call the carriage?""No, that would draw more attention that I want," Niko responded as he pulled the cowl of his robes over his head to conceal his face. Even though he was still dressed in finely spun apprentice robes that would draw their own attention it was far less then his steward's suggested means of travel.Even though it was expected of someone of his stature and family name to not travel afoot Niko was not against the idea. Walking along the cobblestone roads was much more comfortable then bouncing along in a carriage.By the time they arrived to the docks in East Freeport Niko had already slipped on a pair of gloves. The lice, fleas and other vermin that saturated the under privileged masses where easily transmitted by touch. Better for him to let the silk gloves be a barrier between him and their diseases as his cowl would protect him from the foul airborne scents and organisms.As he sat in the foul little boat the stank of rotten fish, fecal matter, vomit and a whole slew of unidentifiable yet just a gut wrenching smells, he searched his pockets for his mask. Even though he wore the same robes, if not a higher quality, as the rest of the students attending the academy; beneath them he wore the black silk hooded shirt and pantaloons same as his steward.For double reasons it suiting him to wear the assassin suit beneath the robes. It provided him appear more bulky then he really was. Those used to wearing robes all of the time easily mistook the way his robes carried on his body for extra muscles not necessarily armor. Granted the restrictions on his hand movements were enough to make his mediocre spell casting ability even worse it didn't bother him. Niko had no interest in arcane studies he just abhorred them less then the priesthood.Finding his assassin mask and a small vial of rose oil he pulled the two of them out and added a heavy dousing of the oil onto the mask. Counting himself lucky that he had originally planned on giving the oil along with a few other items in a pouch to Zoffie he placed the half empty vial back into the pouch.Armed with his barrier to keep his delicate senses safe from the filth and putrid aromas, Niko slipped the mask about his face securing it tightly in place. After placing his hood back in place to obscure his face he noticed that they had arrived to the cesspool known as beggar's court.Reaching back into his pocket he tossed the ferryman a few silver coins. In the past he had seen adventures and the like throwing mountains of gold to the ferrymen. A fruitless and completely worthless endeavor as the ferrymen see so many people and there were so many of them that non would recognize anyone's face a second time.But that was the way of the adventures. By the passing of night they'd earn and [Removed for Content] away small fortunes. Yet on the same token that is why rarely did any of them gain titles nor the status that his family enjoyed. Give the poor masses gold ad they'll buy alcohol or narcotics. Better to let them squeak by on their meager lives, to feed them the means to poison their bodies. Humans and adventures alike never realized that their so called generosity only led to more crime and higher taxes. For the wretch, that an adventurer felt pity for and gave gold to, once tasted the sweet nectar of narcotics would steal, strong arm and thieve from the citizens of Freeport in order to get more of their sweet death. Just to go and show how weak and fruitless pity was as more militia soldiers were needed to keep the streets of Freeport proper safe and more taxes to pay for the soldiers.Not that Niko cared about taxes, he didn't pay them because of his mother's actions and lived well on a stipend from the overlord. Bribed as he considered it, the overlord saw to it that his family never had any want nor need unsatisfied so long as the truth of what the Teir'Dal and more importantly his mother had given to the city stayed hidden.

niko_teen

08-09-2007, 12:46 PM

Making his way past the swath of unwashed bodies Niko was glad that he had put the oil on his mask. The foul odor that his mind was concocting he knew was nothing in comparison to how foul the place really must be. You didn't need to be a first year student at the academy to know how living a hygienic lifestyle benefited your health but none of these masses seemed to even notice their own stink.Niko stopped immediately in his tracks. He had been contemplating whether setting the slums ablaze leading to the smell of burning bodies would be worse or an improvement over what the place already reeked of when a half elf dressed in Xegonite plate armor threw a handful of gold coins at his feet.Slowly turning his head to face the offending Ayr'Dal Niko's scowl stayed hidden deep behind his mask and cowl of his robes."I'm moving into the city and you look like you could use some new robes there," the disgusting Ayr'Dal laughed speaking half over his shoulder to a group of his friends who were busy unloading the furniture from his apartment.Not bothering to respond Niko stepped over the coins and continued down the street. In his haste to leave the Academy a few hours earlier he had not bothered to change his robe. Looking down across his chest, after rounding a corner, he could see the scorch mark and blood on his robes.After uttering a small incantation to repair the damage to his robe and clear away the blood he willed his steward to return to him. After such an insult he knew that any of the Kaoi-Tai would be able to place a poisoned dagger between his shoulder blades. Though the Ayr'Dal would get his just punishment now was not that time."Master," the voice whispered in Niko's mind."Not now," Niko projected his thoughts. "I want you to follow him and found out where his new home is. "One like him deserves to see all that Freeport has to offer." A sinister smile spread underneath his mask as Niko sent his thoughts to his servant bodyguard. "Also I want to see him die as I feed him his own intestines. So we will wait until the time is right.""As you command," the shadowy voice whispered in his mind."Send one of the others to meet me at the Celestine residence by the time that I leave and follow that oaf. I will be fine by myself for awhile."Niko did not get a response by he knew that his orders were being followed all the same. The Kaoi-Tai's talents were without question as was their fealty. Sworn to his family since the time of the shattering so that neither he nor his family had the need to worry about the overlord's assassins seeking to gain perfect silence from them.Pushing the thoughts from his mind and pulling down his mask Niko knocked on the slum door of Zoffie's residence.Even though he found it a little off kilter that a Halasian woman would be answering the door but the near look of horror on her face at seeing a Teir'Dal at the door was worth its weight in gold. He felt the smirk running across his as he nodded to acknowledge her presence then stepped into the small one room apartment as if that place was his own.Granted his family did own a few of the slum apartments in the Longshadow alley but nothing in this area. As his adopted cousin had said, ‘silver from the poor spends just the same as gold from the rich; you just need a bit more of it.'As he caught Zoffie's eye Niko pushed the hood back to show his face and linage. If there was one small joy that he could gain from this little visit to the slums it would be the way that dull roar of conversation lessoned. It was not that his presence alone could stifle as large a crowd as was gather but the fact that the conversation never picked back up to its full level either was enough to keep the smirk firmly planted on his face.Slowly Zoffie made her way across the crowd to his side. She was quiet and reserved like a traditional Teir'Dal should be. Not like the crowds of debutants that his cousins would bring around, that acted like breed wenches swooning over any man with money, she was different. Yet at the same time he could pick up the glint in her eye as she came to a stop next to him."Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee," Zoffie asked in her soft if not coy voice. She ever so slightly smiled as she spoke to but at the same time did her best to conceal it.With a short slight of hand he dropped the gold leafed felt pouch into her pocket. Not sure if she had noticed his hand movement or not he let the smirk fall from his face before speaking."Tea please."Offering another smile Zoffie turned form him and made her way back through the crowd to the kitchen area.Not that he could help himself, Niko watched the way that her lithe body moved through the crowd. He could care less about the slew of unwashed masses that filled the small apartment unable to even notice their stink. Yet the room it's self was not unbearable even without his scented mask.He could make out the corpse of a Teir'Dal woman on a makeshift bed across the room from him. Besides her head a spattering of incense smoked giving off just enough fragrance to keep the body odor of the gathered Halasians and breeds from choking him.At the same time the Zoffie returned to him with a cup of steaming tea in a stained cup on a chipped saucer Niko noted the presence of Zoffie's sister. Zasha a new soldier to the militia in their light armored regiment as the Kaoi-Tai had reported to him.When Zasha waived her sister over and Zoffie made her apologies Niko only nodded the smirk jumping back onto his face. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the two talking taking in a small measure of pleasure form the discomfort that his presence caused Zasha.When he graduated from the Academy she'd be a subordinate. As was rightly so, it was not even conceivable to place a grunt soldier on equal terms with a mage.Not bothering to associate with the lessers that filled the room Niko only basked in the displeasure that he causing Zasha when large group of ruffians that the militia was allowing into its ranks entered the room. As they pushed through the rapidly thinning crowd to Zasha and Zoffie the overpowering stench of unwashed soldiers fresh from the field nearly caused him to loose what hold he'd been able to keep on his stomach. As the soldiers recognized his robes and the meaning behind them that he'd be their superior officer in the years to come they gave him a wide breath of space. Niko only wished that they'd find a way to keep their stench to them selves away from him as well.Yet as the reek filled the small unventilated room Niko decided that it was time for him to take his leave. One of Halasian oafs was talking to Zoffie so he felt no need to sully himself by getting that close to the ruffian. Zoffie would come to him. As she always did she'd wait at the benches between the academy and temple where they had first met.After noting the presence of his replacement Kaoi-Tai for this steward Niko followed the crowd out into the street.Glancing up to judge the time of day as he fitting his mask and hood Niko guessed dusk only a few hours away. Soon he would have his fun with the Ayr'Dal who had been dressed in Xegonite armor.

Tain

08-09-2007, 12:59 PM

It's about time!

niko_teen

08-09-2007, 01:24 PM

/quirks a browThis story only exists to feed my darker side. See when the shattering trillogy is too lovely dovey and Ekuthh hasn't put out anything delightfully evil in awhile then my muse forces me to switch back to this one. So yeah if ther eis violence or conflict on the rending or what ever i am going to title the next book then i wont be working on this one. Unless i get tired of the other one/pondersI can write about my not so cranky anymore wood elf ranger or my Kennedyesk DE. hmmmmm if i don't find a way to make Teaeran mean again i might just have to do that.Edit:On a side note isn't it delightfully evil of me to work on this story a whole two months after my last post. I'm basicly forcing you to go back and reread the whole thing in order to get caught back up with what has been happeneing.

Ekuthh

08-09-2007, 08:36 PM

You'll get your "delightfully evil" installment in the next chapter, Niko...

niko_teen

08-10-2007, 09:50 AM

<cite>Ekuthh wrote:</cite><blockquote>You'll get your "delightfully evil" installment in the next chapter, Niko... </blockquote> Well stop teasing me and go write it then!!!!

kyrr

08-10-2007, 01:20 PM

*ahem*OH niko! You posted twice! /swoonbetter? hehe

niko_teen

09-14-2007, 04:47 PM

Removing grumpy Niko Postand instead stating that Niko was grumpy

Amethest

09-14-2007, 07:25 PM

bite my bumm niko ;p nice post btw <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

niko_teen

09-17-2007, 09:29 AM

<cite>Amethest@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>bite my bumm niko ;pnice post btw <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>TY auntie./gets out a file to get his teeth all immortal style like in 300 to give auntie a bit she'll never forget

niko_teen

04-08-2008, 09:54 PM

Chapter III Niko stepped out of his bedroom into the cramped, for his style, living area of his apartment. Even though the suite that he occupied was one the largest on the campus he still found it cramped at times. It was not that he had to worry about sharing the space like the weaker races who were also limited by their coin as much as their ability.Taking a seat on the padded lounge chair he kicked his feet up on the accompanying ottoman. He'd already skipped the majority of his classes for the day and wasn't planning on attending and if the others."Steward," Niko commented in an exacerbated tone of voice. "I'll take a glass of Rydian ale.""As you wish," Niko's steward said as he stepped out of the shadows and the corners of the room. Ever present but rarely seen Niko's steward filled more roles and then only being a bodyguard and mentor to Niko. Since assassinations were common amongst the dark elves stewards in noble houses were the only ones allowed to serve food and drink to the masters.After removing the dust-covered bottle from one of the lower cabinets the steward placed a crystal glass and in Niko's hand."Ah, very nice," Niko said with a brief smile as his steward fill the glass with dark amber fluid. "There is also a small mess and the bedroom. My afternoon relaxation got a little messy."With the barest look of displeasure to touch the steward's face he courtly bowed to Niko before sliding over to the bedroom."These street tramps never can truly learn what it means to please a man. With all of her promises of skill and prowess I found her... lacking.""I see," the steward commented as he looked into the room. "I will need to replace the bedding and maybe the mattress if the blood soaked through.""The rug as well," Niko commented absentmindedly as he sipped the harsh over priced rare liquid. "I didn't like it much anyway so I didn't bother kicking it out of the way. Just throw it away and have one of the house maids fetch another one from the market."Niko's steward only nodded that he would before stepping back into Niko's room."Preferably a red one this time so that stains are not so noticeable."He didn't get a response but he wasn't all that worried about it either. His steward would follow his wishes regardless."You have your paper due for professor Naomai's class," one of the female Kaoi-Tai said as she stepped out of the shadows to stand behind him."I could careless about the abomination and her worthless class," Niko spat. "She should have been drown at birth like litter of unwanted kittens."She merely nodded and took a step back. It was not the place of the Kaoi-Tai to question their master's wishes."Everyone has a price," Niko rambled in a haughty manor. "I have no need to even attend that Po'toh's classes any more."Taking another sip of the alcohol he placed the glass on the corner table before turning to face the Teir'Dal assassin."It was you, who stood by idle while I bleed out on the hall floor of the academy, wasn't it.""Yes I was.""Let me guess you're going to feed me some bullsak about not interfering with the going-ons of the academy," Niko spoke in low tones as his eyes drew closed into a threatening glare."We Kaoi-Tai are banned by law to interfere.""I SAY WHAT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO!" Niko suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs as he scooped up the glass he had been drinking out of and slung it across the room to shatter against the far wall.Unflinching she continued to watch her master ignoring the shattered crystal and amber liquid that drooled down to form a puddle where the wall and floorboards met."I own you," Niko scowled as he walked up to her. Pulling the ornate short swords out of their scabbards he dropped them to the floor. She grimaced slightly, to his pleasure, as Niko took away her weapons."I renounce your oath as a Kaoi-Tai.""As you wish," she said before starting to turn toward the door."Wait," Niko commanded."As you wish," she replied in an emotionless voice."Someone is here," the steward added.A knock at the door interrupted the two of them brining a frown to Niko's face. "Be gone," Niko instructed as he moved over toward the door."Hey Niko it's Val'ven," the voice said from the opposite side of the door.Trusting in the fact that both the female Kaoi-Tai and his steward were concealed he popped open the door."I brought this back for you," Val'ven spoke in Thexian, the language used by most Teir'Dal outside of the Freeport city limits."I appreciate it," Niko said as he reached out to take his ornamental stiletto from Val'ven who kept it in his hands."If there anything else?," Niko asked before Val'ven had a chance to say anything. "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now.""It was nothing," Val'ven said in a guarded tone of voice commonly found amongst two Teir'Dal belonging to different houses speaking to one another as the two of them were as he looked down at the thin dagger in his hands. "I was just intrigued by the family crest on your dagger there.""It's just a trinket I picked up at the market place," Niko lied as he shrugged his shoulders playing off the dagger as if it were nothing important."Odd," Val'ven stated quizzically. "It's from a house that existed prior to the shattering.""Nicepherious," a sultry sweet feminine voice carried through the apartment.Frowning Niko turned his head back toward the voice. He'd told the woman to make her self scarce there she was speaking out loud drawing attention.Standing in the doorway to his bed chamber naked as the day she was born she offered an inviting smile. Then feigning surprise at seeing Niko speaking to someone she ducked behind the door to obscurer her near perfect unclad form."Ah," Val'ven said with a grin."Yeah I was kind of in the middle of something," Niko adlibbed after a brief moment of shock at seeing her standing there unclothed."Since this is just a trinket do you mind if I examine it?," Val'ven asked. "That way you can get back to your activities.""Sure," Niko said fighting the urge to scowl."Pick up your weapons," Niko said after shutting the door."As you wish.""And the next time that you do not follow my commands exactly as I give them I will have you disembowled," Niko said as he turned to face the Kaoi-Tai."Yes master.""Steward.""Yes," Niko's steward replied as he stepped out of the shadows next to Niko's side."Kill him and get back my family's dagger.""As you wish," his steward said as he disappeared into the shadows once again.

niko_teen

04-08-2008, 09:59 PM

Ekuthh I blame you for not feeding my muse's blood lust. If'd only give me what i need from teh kinslayers then this post would have been on the shattering instead of here. [Removed for Content] stupid sadistic muse.

Ekuthh

04-08-2008, 11:04 PM

Professor Noitul is not going to take kindly to Nico skipping classes... he should be careful in his arrogance; it might draw the sort of attention that I guarantee he will not like... <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />The least of which being that he will rapidly find himself sitting outside the Academy Grounds with his possessions heaped around him. Evictions can be.... painful in Freeport.

niko_teen

01-27-2009, 09:20 PM

“It is unwise for you to carry that dagger with you,” The female Kaoi-tai almost scolded Niko in a monotone voice as she handed him a rolled up piece of parchment. “This is the information that you requested during your visit outside of the academy.”“Put some clothes on,” Niko instructed instead of responding to her advice.Without responding she stepped into the kitchen and headed to the servant quarters that adjoined these upscale living quarters.Closing his eyes and reaching out with his mind to sense if there were any nearby Niko found himself pleasantly assured that no one else was there. He cracked a smile and stepped over the dead body wrapped in the carpet that was lying on floor near the entrance to his bedroom.Unrolling the parchment he found the address of the offending Ayr’Dal from earlier on in the day. Grinning he tossed the parchment to the floor and uttered a short incantation to set the parchment alight.After nudging the body to the side so that he could shut the door Niko tore off his robe and tossed it onto the bed. The quickly moving over to the wardrobe that set flush against one wall he pulled on one side to turn the oversized wooden frame until the back was exposed.Pushing in two buttons that had been disguised as ornamental furnishings he then slid a panel out of the way so that he could access the hidden compartment concealed within. Withdrawing the weapons harness he slid it onto over his arms to rest on his shoulders and buckled the latch across his midsection.With his weapons equipped and Kaoi-tai distracted he pulled his assassin mask over his face. He paused only a moment to stomp out the smoldering ruminants of the parchment and make his way to the window.One of the luxuries afforded to students who lived in this area of the academy was the pleasant rose garden filled with an assortment of trees that they over looked. Even from the third floor he could easily leap to the ground and use one of the trees to make it back into his room without drawing too much attention to himself. Pushing the window open he gripped either side of sill and launched himself out into air above the garden.Rolling to a stop he quickly bounded back to his feet and took off at a run through the garden using a bench along the way as a vault to pitch him up and over the wall the keep the area free from the refuse that patrolled the streets of Freeport.Angry thoughts ran through his mind as her cruised across the city leaping from rooftop to rooftop along the assassin’s corridor. Either by oblivious patrons or those too afraid to make a stand the rooftops of the densely packed in houses made for perfect travel of those not wanting to be seen and lithe enough to travel the paths.A neglected slate roof tile gave way and Niko was forced to slide to a halt so as not to loose his balance and tumble to the cobblestones blow. He cursed silently but could not put the distracting thoughts from his mind even though he should have easily spotted the bad tile and placed his foot in a different location. Starting his path again the thoughts continued to race through his mind.The gal of that Ayr’Dal moving into North Freeport was enough to set him on edge. These days that houses the lined the streets were being sold to anyone with coin. Only the privileged few should be allowed to live this close to the heart of the city but several of the families with the rights to do so were themselves selling their homes off to adventures with too much coin in their pockets.The follow on tonight’s activity would be to find the ones responsible for allowing such a miscreant to move in and unsettle the careful balance of the city. Grace and refinement was not something that could be bought with coin gained from slaying monsters far from the city itself. Only those born into position could ever truly understand the subtleties of life.The city was being allowed to be change in ways that were unsettling and against the rules of nature. Even if not for the insult he suffered this Ayr’Dal needed to be dealt with in order to set and example for anyone else seeking to up their station in life simply by the weight of coin in their purse. The Harbor at the very closest offered them a place to live out their meek existence. The under-classes were exactly that and needed to stay to the places there were destined to live on the outskirts of civilized society. Like Zoffie, she understood these things and lived outside of the city proper as her mixed blood would not be proper inside of the city Proper.Once again he skidded to a stop atop the building he was on. Why was she entering his thoughts he wondered.Movement broke his self asked question. Ducking low he palmed a pair of throwing daggers and scanned the direction that he had caught a glimpse of movement from. Across the expanse of empty space between the rooftop roadway that he was on another assassin was couched down soaking in his position and the area around.Niko surmised that the other assassin had been coming from the opposite direction by his position and manner in which he crouched favoring his left leg over the other.These sorts of meetings along the assassin’s corridor never turned out well. Freelance assassins commonly seek to eliminate the competition. Simply killing off all of the other assassins in the area created a void allowing those still alive to demand more compensation and also the promise of the same amount of work spread over less hands.Niko counted himself lucky that he ad noticed the other assassin about the same time that he had been noticed. If either of them had had the drop on the other initially the one would already be dead. Even if this was an assassin belonging to a house he may still attempt to silence Niko or any other assassins in the area so as not to have word of his travels spoken aloud.If he was lucky then the assassin would perceive him as too much of a threat a move on. That or if this other man dressed in black seemed to be an easily picked off target then he’d make the move himself and end the threat to keep the corridor clear of those undeserving. There was no honor in Freeport with even less amongst thieves or assassins.A glint of steel in the moonlight sent Niko rolling to the side as he loosed the daggers that were in his hands. His eyes ever tracking the other assassin he could hear the clink of daggers striking the tiles where he had been a moment earlier.His adversary seemed to have expected the counter attack as he too rolled away dodging Niko’s returned daggers. Scowling Niko keep his eyes on this other assassin even as a cloud moved the block the moon’s light.Darkness befell the area giving Niko an opportunity to move away. Snatching up the daggers that had been thrown at him as he moved Niko leapt the distance to the next building and poured on the speed as fast as his legs would carry him.Best to scoop up the daggers that had been thrown at him to keep the townsfolk of the city proper from never truly know of these short battles that raged over their homes nightly. That and he didn’t want the added hassle of disposing of another body. Best to change his exact direction of travel to he decided.

niko_teen

01-27-2009, 09:21 PM

Blah double postwouldn't you know that my first post in months would be messed up. click back to page 5 to see the latest post on the story

niko_teen

04-04-2010, 12:51 AM

Chapter IV Still under the cover darkness caused by the passing cloud blocking out the meager light provided by the moon Niko dropped to the ground causing as much noise as feather coming to a rest after its drifting fall to the ground. Careful to avoid the flickering light of the street lamps he sped along the cobble stone lined streets in long bounds his footfalls a whisper where the torrent of unsettled air behind him lifted fallen bits of wilting leaves dropped from window flower boxes and scattered then across the roadways. A novice trained in the same arts would have noticed the distinction and easily known his direction of travel but it was more important for Niko to put distance between the other assassin and himself. He knew that he wasn't being as careful as he knew that he needed to be. He could disappear into any alleyway or nook to hid himself but the other assassin would be able to do as much as he. Discretion was often times a better discourse then getting involved in a pointless battle and being forced to hide out until the dawn drew and a crowd for him to bled in with to make his escape. He had specific plans for this night and he wasn't about to see them ruined. A gust of wind blowing down the street toward him was the opening that he was waiting for. The rare gust was what he needed. Ducking into an alcove protruding from a building he only allowed himself slow even silent breaths even though his lungs burned and his head went dizzy threatening to drop his as it craved the air needed to fuel his muscles after the sprint. Pressed into the nook he palmed the two daggers that the other assassin had thrown at him previously carefully to keeping the glinting steel contained between his hands and body. Another gust of wind blew along rooftops forcing Niko to strain his ears for the tell tale whispers of footsteps intermingled in with the sound. At first he couldn't make out a touch of sound that would let him know that the assassin had followed after him until the miniature whirlwind came to an abrupt stop directly above him. He wanted to scream, to shout, and to declare his name and title to scare off the interloper. This distraction was more then he wanted on this night. To do so would spell his doom as the assassin would end him the moment that he drew in a deep breath to shout out his threats. Unwilling to move even his head enough to look up Niko cast his vision to the other side of the street where a decorative rod iron and glass window sat perpendicular to his position. Searching for a glimpse of anything that would tell him that he was being followed, nothing stuck out. There was nothing at all for his eyes to see other then a deep shadow above him that seemed a touch darker then the rest of shadows in the immediate vicinity. The shadow in question was directly above him tucked under a set of eaves that served to ventilate the top floor of the two story house. As much as he strained his eyes he couldn't make out anything to let him know the exact location of the assassin. He knew where he was but even his Teir'Dal vision was useless. The ability to see heat would have served him well if it were not a reflection that he was looking into. Another gust of wind picked up showing to Niko what he was sure was there. A piece of black cloth whipped around the cloaked assassin beneath the eaves. He grinned. As if instinctively noticing himself that his cover was blown the assassin bolted from his position a scant faction to late as Niko had already stepped out from his position and started the incantation to hold grab the assassin in a pair of ethereal chains same as had grabbed him that morning. The semi-transparent chains burst from the roof of building to seize the assassin and before he had a chance to even turn around Niko had let the pair of daggers fly. Simultaneously they both found their mark imbedding into the back of the assassin's head. As weak as Niko's ability to conjure magic was the chains fell away moments after the daggers had found their mark. The chains had however given him the edge that he needed and the grin on his face widened. Unceremoniously the assassin's body fell to the ground with a thud where a drop from that height under any other circumstances would have not even scattered any nearby insects. Ce'pa, Niko silently thought realizing that his victory was only a partial one. He still had to deal with the body and had wasted precious time. Slipping into the alley where the body had fallen he pulled off the assassin's cowl to see the face of a young breed woman who was relatively attractive if you discounted the pair of daggers protruding from the back of her head. Pulling the daggers free he wiped them clean on his clothes before tucking them away. Scavenging his daggers that he'd thrown at her earlier he slipped them back into their holders and looked her body over for any other items of interest. Niko paused for a moment contemplating the best course of action as he crouched over her dead body. From the small pouch that was attached to his weapons harness, at the small of his back, he removed a thin cloak that he threw about his shoulders to make room in the pouch for any items of interest that the female assassin might be carrying. Pulling open her blouse to check for any items hidden beneath her clothes he slowed half expecting to find assassin's guild glyph hanging from a cord around her neck or tattooed on her body. "Hey," a voice called from the back end of the alley as a door opened and an elder Teir'Dal stepped out. Niko grimaced and palmed a fresh dagger to silence this new annoyance. In his peripheral vision he could make out other lights being lit in the nearby houses as light sleepers were awoken by the man's booming voice. In a city like Freeport it paid to be a light sleeper and those who didn't tended not to live as long as this man had. He could kill this once easy enough but soon a crowd would gather. The one thing he didn't want was attention. As skilled as he knew that he was he also knew that he couldn't kill all of them without raising the alarm of the guards and even though he'd never spend an hour in jail he'd surely be kicked out of the academy if he was caught. "Go abuse that woman somewhere else," the Teir'Dal called to Niko again. Niko wanted to laugh at his fortune. Well not only his fortune the man had saved both of their lives by assuming that Niko was attempting to have his way with the woman instead of realizing the truth of the matter. "Sorry," Niko spoke forcing his voice to a deeper octave. "Just do it somewhere else," the man said in a slow even tone. Niko only nodded to the man as he threw the woman's corpse over his shoulder and staggered into the street making like he was intoxicated. He was still several blocks away from the house of the offensive Ayr'Dal who was about to spend his last night on Norrath as he continued his feigned drunken stumble. After cresting a hill to obscure the vision of the Freeportians who had seen him Niko sped up his pace until he found another alley to duck into. Making quick work her finished stripping the woman then slammed the back of her head into the pavement of the alleyway a few times to disguise the dagger wounds with a bloody bludgeon wound instead. Tearing up her clothing as quietly as he could manage he tossed them about the alley to give the appearance of an interrupted sexual encounter with an unintentional death as a consequence. Murder was not an uncommon occurrence in Freeport with naked bodies stripped of their belongings being found all over the city. They did tend to happen more often in the sub districts then in Freeport proper but there were very few in the city that would even think twice at seeing a stripped corpse in an alley or gutter. The only real difference between the sub districts and Freeport proper was that the guards in the city proper would actually remove the corpse for the citizens rather then leaving it there to decompose. Just to be sure he melded into the shadows and slid up to the roof to finish his trek along the ‘assassin's highway' rooftop to rooftop. If he'd had additional time it would have been best to have violated the corpse to finish the illusion but the interruption had cost him enough time as it was.