Flashback The Duelist

[Illys Phinious]

Illys scoffed and rolled her eyes at the comment. She was too sober for this, she thought to herself. The kept the arrow fitted as she watched the rest of the fight. She thought he could handle it, if he wanted to keep talken like that.

She flinched when the Akalak screamed, the only shrill scream that came with the smell of boiling skin. She watched this man realize the importance of numbers as he took off.

This was when she pulled back the arrow again, taking several feet forqard as she tracked him. ' are... You.. Joking..' She let out as the arrow let loose, hitting the man in the back.

As soon as it hit, she had another fitting and whizzing in the air, landing its place in his neck.

'hows that for aim..' She whispered, smirking as she put the bow on her back and turned.

Scowering her last few steps, she bent down and produced the bar, slightly dirty, but she didnt care at this point. Next ahe searched for her flint.

[Brossk]

Brossk saw this and scoffed at the now dead survivor. He sat down where he was and exhaled deeply. He couldn't concentrate in battle yet, but he swore that next time he would use the wind sheer more than once. The blood began rushing to his head as he began to run a finger up and down this new broadsword. To him, it was a bonus to his original pay.

Another sigh escaped his lips as he began to stand and walk towards the young girl. As he did, in a low bass voice, he began to sing a funeral hymn in Vani.

"Why do you lie there,
So still, pretty lady,
Mornin' has come,
And sun, is a reigning,
When will you hold me,
Again, pretty lady,
Night time has come,
But I'm still waitin'."

As he sang the lilting tune across the massacred that lay across the blood-soaked battle area, he made it to the girl and offered his hand in thanks.

"I do thank ya for savin' me hide there. Never saw 'em. Go to Riverfall and you'll get paid for this work in my place." He held up the sword in admiration and said, "I could prolly get somethin' outta this."

He sat down again in exhaustion and then coolly said a single word, "Brossk."

And left the conversation for her to continue as fatigue set in.

[Illys Phinious]

[ Illys lit the bar, soon plopping down next to him, uncomfortably close. She timed that wrong, so she scooted over a couple inches with the lit bar between her fingers. She took a long drag off of it, incinerating at least half an inch before she pullsd it from her lips.

Stiffling s cough, she felt the effects happen immediately as she handed it to him. Her arms and legs buzzed with her head as she relaxdd.

'money.. What am i gonna do with that?' She askss, grinning slightly at the comment. The sweet smoke filled the air, it smelled like sugar and jasmine. But it was far from a normal flower.

[Brossk]

"Well..." Brossk said as he took the pipe in his fingers. Raising the pipe to his lips and taking a short drag out of awareness of where they were. "Ya can always use the money to upgrade your gear, get more of this stuff. My way of saying thanks for saving my wretched life."

This was the point when his demeanor turned from glad he could see another sunset, but disappointed that he was not a widow going to the next life to be with his family.

The smell from the herbs wasn't unwelcoming, but the feeling of the tingle in the Sea of Grass told him to stay put for awhile.

"Ya know, kid, you ain't bad. Like your scars," pointing to her chin.

"You wouldn't be a half bad looker for some househusband. You could prolly use that money to settle down somewhere and have some kids. Just think about it." He spoke from the Vantha mentality, but with some consideration to her well-being.

[Illys Phinious]

Ggg Illys paused in the middle of taking the pipe, pausing in recolection. Her bloodshot eyes, product of the high the herbs produce. Letting seconds pass in silence before she decided to push tjat hurt deaper.

'had a family... Had a prospective husband... Not looking for it anymore... I see what yer sayin..' She added quickly to deture from the subject. 'how bout we go together, split the earnings..'

She handed the bar over to him and stood, walking slowly over to the body of the man. She almost didnt want to, but the impulse to stop was snuffed out long ago. Kneeling down in a catlike position, in her toes. Illys reached into her boot and producdd a hunting knife. Holding it in her left hand, her right proceeded to rip out the arrows and check them to make sure they were still useable.
The next part in her endevor, a habit that would follow her as a merc. Her right hand set the arrows aside and her left ripped up the mans shirt. Producing a small square to hold the ears ahe surgecly removed from him, all the while her dimeanor never changed from that of a hunter cutting up their next meal.

One could say ten minutes later, or an hour depending on how high the viewer is, she was walking back like a little girl carrying a bundle of pretty little flowers. And she plopped back down, trading the ears for the pipe.

Without a word, just a smile, she repacked it.

[Brossk]

After hearing her story and allowing her to do what she did for trophies, Brossk had time to clearly think about this. Now, in his mind, he was off again to go die, but not before divulging her a few bits of information.

"Truth is, I never wanted the reward. But this will post bail or support new habits," as he held up the Broadsword dangling it from the basket hilt.

"You seem to have more purpose in your life ahead of you, kid. I've lost my wife a daughter... Only a year..." Brossk began to choke up a bit and stifled his tears. With a snort, he continued solemnly, "Anyway... I want to see them again. But I need to find a place to die. From what I understand, it's a warrior's way. A beautiful death."

He turned his back now to walk away and spoke once more bitterly, "My name is Brossk. Just remember me if you cross my corpse on the road."

And with that, Brossk walked away into the sunset for more misadventures.

[Illys Phinious]

Illys watched him leave, some what surprised at how quickly he was gone. But, on second thought, it was natural. In her relaxed state, she didnt care anymore. She will cash in on that debt soon. When she is forgotten, they will turn up like her.

Theres no reason to rush things, she thought painfully as she blew smokey Os into the air. Soon she will cash in on everything that was owed. Soon.

But for now, whats for dinner...

[Brossk]

End.