One's future

[Sitala]

<p>Some where between Time and Nothing one being dwells. An endless sea of tomes, parchments, stone tablets levitate around betwixed and between candles in the sky. Many of the tomes were still being written with golden tip quills scribbling on their pages. Believe it or not many visit this realm as our mind open when we sleep; it has the ability to travel anywhere. An old man appears grabbing several closed tomes and putting them in a bookcase which extends as far as the eyes can see.This ancient Father sits upon a throne of parchment; he spots you and gives a warm smile, beaconing to come closer. In this realm, with your mind so free it is easily drawn to the man, out of curiosity, wonder and trust. As you come before man and set upon a stack of book, he strikes to flints together and lights a simple pipe which appeared from a poof of magic.The old father rested back against the motionless parchment throne, he puffed several times on his pipe end, and even a soft clicking could be heard as it touched his teeth. He smiled again letting out a large bellow of pipe smoke before leaning to you and speaking."Well well...we do not see many here welcome little one." His voice was so warm and tender, in his presence no ill will remained. You do not speak, but he knows what you are thinking,"You seem bewildered at your life...or stuck. It is only natural." His pipe will point at you as he speaks and motions with his hands."All lives are filled with ups and downs as they say." His finger motion a come hither movement out at the abyss of tomes, and low and behold one approaches, it's quill still writing. The tome was bound in a dark indigo purple, and the pages edge in black silver. He speaks as the tome rest in his lap and he stops the quills."We are not all equal, and we all do not achieve greatness. Many names are lost in time but a few linger just that little longer." He opens the tome in the middle of the book, he removes it pages with ease. Surprising the book is not damaged, and there was no sound of tearing parchment. He returns the book to the sky and the quill once again starts writing."This, my little friend is or could be one of those, this mortal, currently on the path she is one could have her name remember." "Our Paths all change and in turn changes our life stories. but we shall have a read about this current life shall we?"  He smiled again popping his pipe back into his mouth as he turns to the first page."Let us see now." The ancient one continues making slight mumbling sounds as he reads to himself and puffs away on his pipe."Ahh well, I will not go to much into this one’s past as it has many sad moments. And since I would like you to return I shall read some that might be more towards your taste." he smiles again and leans back making himself comfortable and begins his story.    Time is a funny thing to many, for example. A young Teir'dal with hardly any knowledge of the world, who claws her way through existence just to live but it seems to have taken a strange turn. Though she still claws to live a life this what I read is of her future. Her name is Nyri to most who know her; to enemies she is just a signature that she leaves behind. Though her life began as simple as anyone but through its twist and turn it brought about her mark as a skilled killer.Through her training she learned one could even be invisible in a sea of eyes, people everywhere. Maybe that is what made her so good? This particular day she received a parchment slipped under her door, she herself would hone her skills of balance and agility upon the beams in her simple home at number eight Indigo Hallow. She has grown much since the thin bean pole she was, her body was well tones but obvious curves lingered.Upon a slender beam, she stood in thin leather boots and slowly bent backward, her hands catching herself on the beam. Her back would arch high as she held the position to stretch. Her legs soon raised slowly, first one, and then the other; they kept the crude shape of a V as she brought them and her body over to stand once again. The next time, she did the same all the way across the beam but with much speed.Her chest rose and fell gradually as she breathed, she again to lower herself forward onto her hands, her legs splitting to the left and right of her as she held herself in balance, her bottom hover ever so slightly from the beam. Below her if she were to fall was a hard stone floor, she would seriously hurt herself, and she has, oh yes she has. Her home remained unchanged it was still the simple dwelling she lived in since she moved to Neriak. Large cushions rested in the corner around a chess board a fireplace crackled, a tattered lounge leans slight against a makeshift barrel table. Behind a wooden half wall was a tiny kitchen, a rusting cast iron stove, a bit of bread and meat. Across was a desk and book case filled with books and papers, several musical instrument rests untouched, caked in dust. They were her brother's she dare not move them encase he comes home.Behind a tattered curtain, is her sleeping chamber, a makeshift floor had been made to support her bed, and her brothers. Below was a bath sunken into the floor, still another fireplace crackled taking the chill off the room; it was cold in the city at night. She still practiced her movement, she would intentionally drop herself off the beam just to catch herself, simulating if she were to fall. She stayed silent all the while wanting to keep her ears attuned to how much noise she made. Once back up on the beam she leaned forward into a handstand, her legs crossed at the ankles, she steadied her position and held it. As she held herself, a folded parchment was slipped under her door, the sound of parchment against stone seemed to ring out in the room, it was quite easy to spot. It was a calling. She lowered herself low onto the beam till she was laying on her stomach, her head resting on her arms, her ankles still crossed as not to unbalance. For the longest time she simply stared at the folded note she never met her callers only knew that they wanted one thing and if she did not do it another would. She rolled from the beam and landing quietly on the floor in a crouched position, she stood grabbing a small cloth to dab her brow and neck as she picked up the note.She examined the black wax seal, a talon had been stamped into the center, and a tiny letter M in the center of the talon. She broke the seal reading the letter, it was the usual someone's life was no longer useful. A representative of Freeport was coming to the Great City, now all Teir'dal knew that Neriak was using Freeport and the same for Freeport was using Neriak.  The Teir'dal were biding their time for they are a proud race and not to be taken lightly and over the years Freeport had become cocky at the use of the Great City and her people so things were in motion to put them back in their place.She only had a day to prepare for her target, in the early hours, and casually walked the city few were out at this hour, several passing guards whispered about the coming visitor. She made her way to the gates of the city; she occasionally stopped picking a few thick bloodwine roots. She went as any person would go about her business out of mind of most, as she gathered; a Freeport ambassador entered the City gates, two Dread guards at his side, and to his rear looked to be another guard. Her brow arched curiously as she popped a root in her mouth and chewed it slowly, almost tasting it as she watches. There had not been any mention of a companion with the Ambassador. She would have to up her sum for taking out two targets.The guard in question, stood close to the Ambassador, occasionally glimpsing about, luckily enough she was dressed in rags and looked more like a urchin so she was of course not important. The Knight wore a dark plate mail, which caused her a slight grumble it was harder to kill people dressed in plate. A emblem was embossed into his plate and as they passed, a neriak guard shoved her aside.“Filth... out of the way...” the guard hissed and she played her part, going to the ground with ease dropping her gathered roots.The group passed by, a slight snickering was heard as they passed her. The ambassador snorted “A strain on us honesty men...you should sell them that would clear the streets.” They laughed and went on, she was able to catch a glimpse of the knight’s back, a stallion’s head was stitched proudly and with care it seem upon a black and red cloak he wore. She didn’t recognise the emblem and did not honestly care; she knew her marks, taking her roots she went home.The house was warm from the fire she has stirred before she left; she removed her tatty garments and just walked around in flimsy, thin, loose pantaloons, and a top which left her mid-drift. She pulled out a beat up cast iron cauldron and filled with about a inch of water before she threw in the roots, with a logged added to her stove the fire inside grew warm. She grabbed the lid and a unlabelled jar, inside was a thick deep violet goo, taking one of the root ends she scooped out some and put it into the pot and covered.Meanwhile the Freeport ambassador paid his respects to Queen Cristanos before they went to speak of their two cities, her royal guards keep a watchful eye on the two outsiders as they accompanied them to a secluded meeting room and behind the closed doors words we exchanged, some a bit more heated then others.Back in the Indigo Hallow, a smell of sour lead filled her front chamber, the brew was ready, the roots had been boiled away to its fibers, she removed the lid, a bellow of steam came up, she leaned away to avoided the searing heat and looked into the pot at the thick sludge a sinister smirk passed over her lips. While it was still hot and bubbling she removed several weapons from her stand and with a fine badger brush she coats the blades of her two short curved short swords, a selection of daggers ranging in size, several arrow tips and a odd looking fine black steel stake. This was one of her most interesting toys; she brought it close to her eyes to examine. The weapon had no hilt so to speak, and it was bladed on the four sides. Between each blade was a series of fine hook like pieces, which stood up slightly higher than the blades but got smaller as they went down to the so called hilt. The hooks were not as sinister as they seemed, for they were just used for grip once this weapon was pushed through its victim. It made for an easy grab.Around the hilt was a fine blood red twined cords. The material was so soft and would see like silk to the touch, it spiralled to half the hilt of the blade. However innocent it seemed to other, carefully imbedded into the twisted cord were fine steel spines that would lift out as the stake went through its victim shredding the unfortunate soul’s insides. The twine cord would slip from its round hilt and stay embedded in its victim. A fine piece of her own design which she was very proud of.After her weapons were coated, she again dipped her brush into the gloop and coated a fine crystal which had been cut and polished to look like a diamond. It was a custom that the visitors to Neriak received a gift they would remember and she was sure this would not be forgotten for a long time. As the coating dried it would be clear so no suspicion would arise, she turned leaving her items to dress.She returned to the main room, she adjusted her leathers as she did; it was a simple deep grey blue which matched the cave walls of the city. They were snug and form fitting, empty sheathes rested over her body but she would soon remedy that she looked over the weapons she had coated, none of the goo could be seen lingering upon them, She picked up her two curved short swords and placed them in the sheathes that were crisscrossed at her back. She placed her daggers in the sheath's that hugged her right leg, one at her thigh, another in her boot. A third was placed at the back of her neck the hilt was not noticeable due to her long white hair. Her left leg would mirror the right in its weapon placement. Her pride and joy, the coated stake was placed into a hidden sheath within her right bracer, she was ever so careful since she did not wish to cut herself. The poison on her blade was could take down a large beast...with enough time given, but enough was place for a large man. The poison was a blend of bloodwine root, venom from a quill or a spined eel, widow venom and several others which she lost track of over the years. It causes the blood to burn and the limbs to freeze, it was quick, to react the more active the person was. It would seize up the muscles of the body until it found its way to the heart and lungs. With no muscle to pump the blood it would escape the veins and find other ways to reveal the pressure, seeping from the victim’s nostrils, mouth and even the eyes.She belted her quiver or arrows across her waist and to her thigh, securely to one of the main blades; she picked a short bow for this, in case she needed it. Finally the tiny diamond like crystal, with a gloved hand she picked it up and placed it into a hidden waist pouch which rested in the inside waist of her leggings. A final touch she slipped on a loose hood and her cloak, which concealed her weapons, she hurried out she left the torches and fire extinguished as she slipped out the doors. With time on her side at the moment she hurried to the Dockside for there is where drinks shall be bought and good to be taken back as gifts. She was able to climb onto one of the city walls, and watch behind one of the large braziers, the crowds had already started to gather as she jumped from wall landing silently on a nearby roof, she lay flat, her toes and finger tips held her up as she crawled across the building top. The shadows that ruled the city were always welcoming to her, the scene that unfold in the bustling street frustrated her, for they had not moved from the trader’s hallow in the small series of tunnels and the wine which was being poured was being shared by all from one pitcher. Nyri groaned slightly for she was not willing to kill her innocents, another tactic was now in play. She slide from the roof, landing with a soft thud behind the building, she removed her cowl for it would draw suspicion, and she quickly unbelted the dagger on her left thigh and moved it to her right. She adjusted her cloak to rest over her right shoulder, and slowly ventured into the crowd with ease, showing her interest in items asking about prices as she slowly stalked the wine drinking Ambassador. She grabbed an empty goblet and a tender carrying a large pitcher filled her raised cup, she brought it to her lips pretending to sip. She overheard the stall vendors whispering about the visitors and the Knight travelling with the Ambassador was part of a large organization known as the Knights of Freeport. Apparently they were a branch of Lucan’s Militia, she pretend to sip all the while until setting her goblet down, the time drew near, the Ambassador approached a large group of Teir’dal showing their good high to him the Knight himself tried to ease the amount coming to them. She removed the tiny poisoned “diamond”; a nearby Teir’Dal filled his awaiting goblet, as the goblet was being handed back to the Ambassador and with great ease slipped the tiny stone into the cup. Still holding the goblet stem she placed it within the Ambassador’s hand, which was so oblivious due to all the goods in front of him. </p>

[Sitala]

<p>Her job she thought was done and she turned easing away from the mob scene, she found a small area free from to many crowd and watched to make sure it all went to plan, and just as she had hoped the Ambassador downed the goblet and it would appear including the stone. She smirked to herself and waited to make sure the poison took effect and it did, beautifully. The man stopped in his tracks clinched his chest; the Teir’dal mob sobered up and moved away from the man, the Knight turned to his aid, bracing him. The ambassador’s limbs froze and could not move only shake in spasms, Nyri gazed with a sombre look watching. Screams rang out as blood oozed from his nose and eyes, he collapsed and fell like a brick to the floor, the mob of people began to flee for free. The knight stood and eyed through the crowd, Nyri herself was making her way out. The Knight spotted the Teir’dal moving rather calmly and hurried after her as fast as he could wade through the mob of frantic elves.Nyri, once free from the tunnels she returned making her way back home, she placed her cloak fully on her shoulders and her cowl over her hair, the Knight however caught a glimpse through his helm visor and moved after her. She walked calmly with cat like grace passing the Dread guards who ran to the scene, one turn after another and she was slipping through the corridors. The knight has a difficult time keeping his eyes on her, twists and turns led her to a back alley in Indigo Hallow, she knew she was being followed and quickly unhooked her cloak and tossed it into a empty barrel, but its tail corner hung over the rim.With no time to spare she climbs to a tunnel support beam and hides in the shadows over the tunnel exit and waited for the Knight to step through, she heard the echo of a unsheathing sword flow through the tunnel. The knight stepped through the tunnel cautiously, he looked around, Nyri herself pushed herself into the shadow’s embrace from the beam before the Knight eye could catch her. The Knight noticed the barrel and cloak tip over the edge, many would lean over the barrel and look inside, but he instead with a swift thrust pushed the tip of her sword through the barrel the only thing to stop the blade tip was the stone wall of a house.The Knight withdrew the sword roughly and then kicked the barrel over hoping to see a body pour out, but it was just a cloak. Finding this as the best time as any, she knew she could not go toe to toe with him; she dropped from the beam holding onto her, she began to let her legs swing to and fro. As the knight went to look around again, she let go and swung into him knocking him into the dirt, she feel and rolled to her knees. Surprised at the Knights movement in full armor he rolled and was on his knees to standing. She was a bit surprised and she drew her short bow loaded an arrow and fired at his chest, the short ranged caused the knight to stumble back slightly but the arrow just pinged off his armor. She fired again as he started to charge, he raised his broadsword high for a strike as he swung she rolled to her left dodging a heavy blow which took out a chuck of the stone street. The knight threw his sword down and rammed into her as she lay on her side, pinning her with her back to the ground by her shoulders and knocking over a brazier. With a swift yank he flung the cowl of her head, showing her face which he recognised.“You...you were the riffraff earlier. What did you do?” he growled with him pinning her she winced at the weight but was able to hiss back. “My job.”“Who sent you?” he raised her shoulders and slammed them into the hard ground, when she didn’t speak he did it again but with a bit more strength causing a groan to escape her lips.A hand released her own should raised to strike her, with a split decision, her leathered hand grabbed a handful of the smoldering coals and flung them to his face, his helm blocked most but the opening of the visor was enough that several large chunks went through. He growled and struck her with the back of his hand, and he frantically removes the helm, with his weight off of her shoulder but still straddled her, this gave her the opportunity to pull the stake from the front of her vest. As the helm slipped off, she struck the tip of the blade into the side of his neck; a growl was released as she did. As the stake was drove into his neck, his helm dropped, it was another Teir’Dal, their eyes locked, his hand went to her throat tightly and squeezed. Nyri gave the stake a hard push, until it came out the other side, with this done the Knight released her, his hands going to the entry wound of the neck. He tried to pull but the hooks of the blade would hook onto the flash. He fell to his back in agony giving Nyri time to get to her feet, she glared at him with a busted lip, a bruise has already started to show on her cheek and neck. With him crawling on the ground trying to escape, she grabbed the tip end with her glove to protect her from the blade and the pulled it through, all the while the red cord on its end unravelled and the tiny spines expanded. The Knight fell to the floor gurgling and if that wasn’t enough the poison from the blade began to take effect, causing his body to convulse and seize; blood began to ooze from his ear and nostrils. She looked at him with no expression or caring, instead left him there was she grabbed her cloak, several bat smelling the blood had already started to gather. Nyri turned leaving him, discarded and un cared for and vanished into the shadows to her home.</p>

[DukeOccam]

<p>Great story; very engrossing. I couldn't stop reading, and now I'm late coming back from my break, and it's all your fault! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I hope much more is coming.</p>

[Sitala]

<p>((little more for you))</p><p>After leaving the Knight to drown in his own blood Nyri  stalked through the shadows of Indigo Hallow, she crouched down near a worn building, listening and watching the area for a while, when she was satisfied nothing was coming, she climbed up the cave wall, wincing several time from her sore shoulders. From the cave wall she was able to reach a window in the upper part of the run down building, she again looked around her body motionless until she was felt it was safe enough to ease open the window and slip inside. The room she entered was her own house, with silent footfalls she walked onto the beams of the room. It was still dark from when she extinguished the fires and torches, and again she waited, breathing slowly trying to listen for any sounds that might not belong. After about ten minutes she was satisfied and lowered herself from the beam. Her shoulders and arms throbbed as she did this from the weight the Knight slammed onto her. She tossed on a few pieces of coal and stirred the cinders of the fire to bring them to life once again, which a thin splint of wood she lit several torches in the front chamber before moving to the chamber behind the torn drape and doing the same. Once she was satisfied with the soft glow in the room, she removed her sheathes and weapons not really caring just letting them fall onto the rug with a thud. She was careful unlacing her leathers as her muscles started to become sore and tight from the fight, they to fell to the floor carelessly and she slipped into the steaming stone bath. At times like this she blessed the minds of the little gnomes could create constant hot water without starting a fire even if they smelt weird and seemed to find strange pleasure in their gears and oils. She shuddered at the thought as she sunk into the water allowing it to come over her shoulders and muttered softly with a groan.“By Innoruuk’s Hate nobles and their burly body guards.”  She grumbles and picks up a small cloth and gently touches her split lip and dabbed the dried blood gently. The cut wasn’t going to leave a scar so she was luck in that, she picked up a small mirror and examined her bruised cheek bone which had already began to swell and discolored  to a deep purple. Her chin lifted slightly and could see the finger prints where the Knight tried to choke her, tossing the mirror onto the floor and submerged herself under the water to relax her body. Starting to feel the welcoming embrace of slumber she sits up slowly and stands wringing out the water from her hair, letting the warm water run down her slender figure before stepping out. She grabbed a thin cotton robe and wrapped herself; the thin garment clung to the damp curves of her figure becoming slightly transparent. She stretch and rotated her right arm and shoulders working the muscles as she made her way up the small stairs, she paused a moment and stared at the empty bed which was her brothers, it rested untouched ever since he disappeared. With a deep sigh she stirred the fire to keep the coals warm before she laid on the bed and fell asleep with ease.Morning came and a new day started in Neriak, the squeaking wheel of vendor carts rolled through the streets, dogs barked at the movement of any life and even at things that were not. She rolled onto her back and looked at the cracks in the ceiling pressing her head into her pillow and mumbled. “Morning always comes to soon; the night is never long enough.”There was several knocks at the door, with a gentle roll of her deep onyx eyes and rolled to her feet and walked to the door, she twist and turned several lock, unhooked a chain and under a trap trigger carefully and opened it to find a small Teir’dal child holding up a morning edition of the Neriak courier, she nodded and picked up a silver piece from the window ceil and paid for the parchment. She closed the door and her eyes skimmed the print and found the article she was looking for and it read:   <em> Last eve’s unfortunate turn of event is a tragedy to before the alleys of Freeport. The Ambassador seems to have died of natural causes, the result of too much wine and a weak liver which seemed to have ruptured. There is no need for alarm or panic the streets are safe.</em>Nyri smirked at the words and continued to read:    <em>Also there seemed to have been a grave accident involving a Knight of Freeport...it would seem in a drunk stumble tripped over a brazier’s leg and in a tragic accident killed himself. In both cases no witnesses and suspects have been brought forward and at the time no further investigation will be held.</em>With a soft chuckle pleased with her work and the fact that her contacts tied off the ends of the night very well, she tossed the parchment into the fire to burn anything that could be used against her. She rolled her shoulders the muscles a bit tight but not sore, the hot soak the night before had helped. With a swift turn she slipped from the robe and tossed it across the onto the lounge as she walked into her bathing chamber to dress in loose fitting trousers, she bounder her breasts in a strip of material before slipping a loose cotton shirt on.The only thing she regretted about those nights it’s cleaning up afterwards, Nyri went around the house picking up her clothes tossing them into her bath so to wash them. She took her weapons into the kitchen and began to clean the blade removing any residue of poison. She picked out one jars from a large selection on her shelf which was filled with a white crystal like powder. Damping the blades with warm water she sprinkled the powder over them and left them to sit. The cauldron of poison left over was strained of its roots and poured into a jar from another time, corking it tightly she placed it in the bar back of the shelf.With her chores done she goes to collect, leaving the house she locks her door an steps out into the cave, she paused a moment watching several cleaners sweeping the streets, vendors tossing bad fruits and vegetables into nearby barrels before they go to sell. Nyri tighten the soft leather bracers on her wrist, her hair was done up whispers of the white strand caressed her slender neck. She was to meet her contact in Tavern of the D’Morte vampires she inhaled deeply for she wasn’t keen on vampires. With a straight back she made her way to the tavern house several of lingering vampires outside cold crimson eyes looked up from the necks of their willing victims to watch her as she entered the house.Nyri stepped through the door; any chattered stopped as more crimson eyes turned to the mortal that entered. A male vampire held a woman’s wrist to his mouth, his tongue danced over the flesh before sinking his teeth into it his crimson eyes all the while staring at Nyri with a hunger in them. The dark Teir’dal woman flinched slightly at the bite but soon relaxed and looked as though she was enjoying his “kiss” and didn’t seem to notice her companion’s attention was elsewhere.</p>

[Sitala]

<p>He pushed the woman’s wrist away no longer showing interest and stand moving toward Nyri with a smooth grace seeming to take no effort in his movements, she held his gaze in her own deep onyx eyes it seemed her could see into her soul and as he approached her she back up and into the wall, she was not pinned between him and the wall. The vampire leaned in and utter in a chilled tone, his breath wreaked of blood of the past and what he had just consumed. “Nyri you intoxicate me when I see you, your blood would fire the soul.” He leaned in so close, her head bumped the wall as she leaned back, the weight of his frame pressed into her, she could feel the brush of his lips against her collar bone as he spoke. “Any of my kind could find without eyes.” He gave a soft animal like grumble and slowly ran the tip of his tongue over her soft indigo flesh. Nyri swallowed hard, how she hates the presence of vampire. He nuzzled her neck and smiled revealing his fangs she froze as they touched her neck as he uttered again “I could haunt your dreams with such ecstasy if you let me in.” He enjoyed the taunting of her and listening to her heart race and the flow of blood echoed in his ear.   Composing herself but still not moving Nyri hissed “Le’fyn...one more taste of me and the keep will be sweeping you off the floor.” With his attention to Nyri’s neck she had been able to pull a silver blade from her bracer and had it pointed at his heart. He grinned to Nyri and eased away “Your time will come my tempting morsel” he leaned in and inhaled deeply her scent before backing off slowly, he eyed his thrall he was feeding from earlier who’s eyes glared on Nyri like razor daggers. With her personal space her own again she tucks the dagger back down into the bracer, she gives a last glance to Le’fyn who had yanked his thrall’s head back and fed rough from her neck seeming to take out his frustration from Nyri on her. Nyri continued up the stairs to a small secluded table and sat down and waited, a waiter brought a dark bottle of bloodwine to the table. “Compliments of Lord Le’fyn.” Nyri wouldn’t turn down a free drink she poured herself a drink and prepared another for her coming guest, and in good timing as several cloaked figures entered the inn. Nyri watched with showing a glance of no emotion as two men were left standing guard and the third making his way up the stairs to her, she kicked out the chair allowing him to sit and eased the wine to him. “My payment...double...two bodies...both officially dealt with.” She swirled her wine and looked at the man with an arched brow. Her “company” looked at Nyri for a moment and tapped his chin with a deep sigh and nodded.  “Yes I suppose so; your work can not be described as nothing less than excellence.” He tossed a bulging leather pouch onto the table. “Your payment as requested, four rubies, two sapphires, and seventy-five gold.”  Nyri picked up the pouch and stood leaving the table. “A pleasure as usual.” She bounced the pouch in her palm and left the inn not looking at of the other patron but she could feel heat of Leafy eyes watching her back which only eased with the closing of the tavern doors.</p>