Cold night, quite the fright. (treachery)

[Alexander Faircroft]

11th winter 515AV 10:03pm A slow and calm night rolled by, the chilled winds buffeting the castle walls giving off an eerie sound. The sky cloudless and pallid light from Leth illuminating the city below. A soft waxing moon shining bright in the sky accompanied by a stars a plenty. Far below walking through the open streets of Syliras, Alex slowly trudged Full armour adorned and weaponry strapped to him. A calm pall had been cast on the night. The slow trudge through the city coupled with the whipping whistling winds set Alex a little on edge his hand resting atop the pommel of his bastard sword. “Why do the nights have to be so cold…” Alex mused to himself aloud the soft tone of his lost in the frigid winter air. Lights around him began to die out in the surroundings. Businesses finally closing fully and heading back to their homes. Drips and drabs of people filtering back to the dormitories or just simply snuffing out the lights in their homes to sleep. Just in front of him something caught Alex’s eye. A shadow. Moving fast. Alex glanced up to the sky but against the blackness of the sky nothing could be seen still he’d caught the shadow and the direction it was headed. He took off running towards it, the heavy clatter of plate moving swiftly through the streets. Pulling his shield free of his back and strapping it to his forearm as he ran he slipped the bastard blade free from it’ sheath at his hip the cold grey of the steel glinting in the soft cold moonlight. The sprint stalled to a slow crawl panting lightly but trying his best to control his breath Alex stalled at the edge of a corner. A soft wing beat around it. Well that’s not normal… Slipping his sword into his other hand quickly he rose his fingers to grasp around the sigils at his throat. Yahal guide me… Slipping his sword back into his now free hand. Steeling himself he rounded the corner sword at the ready. He stuck to the shadows as best he could, slowing his heart rate. Stepping as softly as he could until his armour scrapped against the textured stonework of the wall. Just great well there goes the element of surprise. Shaking his head lightly he stepped free of the shadows his armour though battered and dented still shone in the moonlight. His blade gleaming with harsh connotations.

[Treachery]

It was rare for Treachery not to wake up to something to do these days, rarer still for him to wake up early enough to have any considerable amount of time on his hands. More often than he'd like, he was woken by his patron throwing him out of bed and dragging him off to patrols or worse yet training. Clothes and boots on, the zith carefully pulled the brush though his long black locks. Finally able to run the brush from root to tip without is snagging, Treachery clawed it back into a bunch in on hand and messily wrapped the ribbon around it like normal. Two haphazard knots to keep it secure and he was good to go. Cautiously leaving the dormitories the squire decided to go for a wander about the stone colony whilst he had the chance. Heading for the closest way outside, which coincidently was the training grounds, the zith felt his fur puff up naturally as he stepped into the cold dark night. Maybe he should have wore a cloak. Nah, cloaks got in the way and he wasn't about to miss out a chance to fly about. Casually wandering to the edge of the roof, Treachery peered over into the drop excitement building in his gut. Stretching out his wings the squire gave a few flaps before stepping off into thin air. Shrieking too high for humans to here, the squire made sure to keep his wings wide as he went down. This action made him start to glide forwards, although it was still more along the lines of a controlled drop. Reaching the last two-dozen feet between him and the ground, Treachery started flapping hard. The force of the drop combined with his weight, made his wing burn pleasantly on each downward flap. Adrenaline and the thrill of flying filled Treachery completely, sending him speeding as fast as he could over and around the roofs of the houses near the docks. Getting confident, the squire began to play with the air. Flapping twice hard, the zith deliberately missed a flap causing him to dip in the air before two hard flaps sent him skyward again. Laughing silently at the rush each drop, Treachery lets his eyes close as he relaxed in his element. Opening his eyes, the squire was very glad he hadn't kept them closed any longer as a wall sped towards him. Immediately the squire tried to kick his legs forward to help get his wings at the right angle to back flap and so that if everything went wrong his legs could at least cushion the blow. Back flapping, Treachery was able to slow himself down enough for an unsteady bounce off the wall and an even more unsteady landing on the ground. Right, next time he would keep his eyes open for the whole flight. About to take off for another flight about the city, Treachery hesitated at the sound of fast footsteps, clanking metal and heavy breathing. Now that was an odd combo. Moving his nearest ear towards the sound, the zith listened carefully as the footsteps slowed and whomever it was hastily tried to catch their breathe back just beyond the corner of a nearby wall. Quickly looking about him, Treachery slipped intot he nearest shadow. It was already very dark out and whomever this was, without good night vision would have difficulty finding a dark furred zith stood in the shadows. Eyeing the direction of the noises, the squire was taken aback when a large armour male rounded the corner, also appearing to stick to the shadows. At least he was until the horrific sound of metal against stone, made him give up and step out clearly into the moon light. Obviously a knight or a squire then, probably on patrol from the looks of it. He was obvious ready for a fight of some sort weapon and shield drawn, not to mention his sketchy behaviour before. Still cautious, Treachery slowly exited his shadowy hiding place as quietly as possible backing away to give him and the man more space. Briefly taking his eyes off the stranger, the zith looked about for an exit. A near by roof looked as good an option as any. Bolting towards it five steady flaps let him to land roughly on all four on the roof. Standing up slowly as to not lose his balance, Treachery looked down on the man, waiting to see what he would do.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex had rounded the corner, sword drawn and glinting in the fragile moonlight a cold look in his eyes. The figure had slinked back into the shadows behind him. Alex just kept approaching sword drawn and at a point of apprehension. Turning his blade slightly he shone a flash of moonlight into the darkness against the flat of his blade. The light illuminating the darkness. He’d seen something soaring over the sky, a darkened shadow and now before him something that he couldn’t quite describe who or what it was. He steadied his footing setting his blade atop his shield and Following the creature. Sharp claws thick fur surrounding its face and wings. Large black wings, reminiscent of a bat. But the thing that set it to the biggest contrast with Alex was its eyes, the thin red ring almost luminous in the moon light. And in a flash the creature took off leaping up and flying through the air to land standing on a nearby rooftop. Alex twisted his body with the creature his shield and sword now reflecting the moonlight with a brilliant glow. The shine masking his face with a gleam of light and hopefully blinding the creature a little.

“Who are you!?” Alex’s voice carried across the way light, smooth and soft in tone. More like he was trying to diffuse a situation than instigate a fight. But given the reaction of the creature and his own drawn weapons hopefully there would be just this stand off and not a fully-fledged incident. Alex’s fingers flexed over the blade as he watched the creature moving back into the centre of the courtyard, keeping the glare of the moonlight on his shield and on the flying beast. He let the options for the situation roll over his mind again and again taking one of a hundred possible paths. And in the end he decided to see if the creature was just a feral beat or had some intelligence. Or more than the creature’s eyes betrayed. “My name is Alexander Faircroft, squire of the knights of Syliras. And I demand you step down from that rooftop.” He tried to calm himself. Slowing his breaths and trying to focus his mind on a single path. A small prayer as he did so. Wysar give me the discipline to stay my hand until I know this creature before me is a threat.

A cool wind blew through the area as the clouds rolled over the sky. A single large snow-cloud blotting leth’s glow as Alex was now left at a disadvantage. He’d been robbed of his only source of light, and that meant that the area around him was in pitch darkness. He could feel his heart thumping in his chest. His breathing grew more rapid and haggard. He could feel a twinge of fear growing within him. He only had one really armoured point, and that was his head.

[Treachery]

OOCSorry it's sorta short! Whomever this man was he wasn't as dumb as most prey was. Instead of trying to search for him in the shadows with his eyes, the man instead bounced the moonlight off his sword to find him. Not that that had done much to prevent Treachery making it to the roof. Observing the man, The squire found himself squinting as he used the same trick on him again. Ha, like blinding him did much. The squire could still hear where the stranger was all too clearly. Considering his next move, Treachery once again focused on the apparent squire as he demanded the zith's name and introduced himself. Alexander Faircroft, the name sounded fairly bland. He didn't seem scared of him though, only weary. He should probably do what the guard said but some mischievous streak in him was holding him back. It was then that the clouds choose to block out the moon leaving the pair in pitch black darkness. Alexander's breathing quickened, his heart pounding loud to the zith's ears. Maybe he wasn't just weary after all. Chuckling loud enough for the other squire to hear, Treachery dropped off the roof, flapping to cushion his landing. Now on the ground, he kept his wings open in a comfortable position in case he needed them. Taking slow steps, the zith circled the squire not bothering to soften his footsteps as he kept their current distance the same. Eyes never leaving his fellow squire, a mischievous smirk never left Treachery's face. Prey was soo much fun to mess with. Remembering that he hadn't answered Alexander's question yet, the zith stopped his walking and near enough growled out his answer. “Treachery is name, Alexander Faircroft.”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex stood in abject darkness the blackened clouds swirling around the sky. Leth’s light gone and his heart pounding only then did he hear the footsteps of the creature growing closer. And then circling him. Like a predator stalked its prey. He tried to slow his breaths to gain a clam over his nerves so he didn’t do anything rash or jumpy. That would just reflect badly on the knights if they were all jumpy fools. Swallowing dryly he kept his footing not wanting to turn in case he placed his back towards the creature. The creature spoke a rasp to his voice that contrasted his own.

Treachery is the creature’s name? Alex puzzled over the voice and the name. Calming his thoughts as leth’s light returned to illuminate the surroundings the pale moonlight allowing him the opportunity to shift his footing and stand face to face with the creature again. “Well…At least you did as I asked…Perhaps we can talk.” He kept a weariness too him his sword falling to his side but still readied. He stepped a little closer to the creature just within rang eof his sword should he need to swing it. “So Treachery. Who exactly are you?”

As he finished speaking the clouds rolled back over leth again and hid the light. Again the area was bathed in darkness but he was close enough to see the red of treachery’s eyes through the darkness. As treachery would possibly be close enough to see the green of his. Eyes locked. He continued to speak now into pitch darkness. “Tell me what your business in this city is.” His words firm but still through his soft voice. He wasn't going to let this situation go. It was too odd to let go. Alex stood stock still within the darkness again his shield now drooping a little to his side.

[Treachery]

The man didn't turn to follow the sounds of his footsteps. Interesting. Either prey was more deaf than he had expected or he deliberately wasn't following him around. His breathing was slowing and calming down too. Mildly put out by this, Treachery squinted when the moonlight returned. By the time his eyes had readjusted, Alexander, now able to see him, had turned to face the zith. The man was definitely getting less weary of him. Though his words next set of words made it seem as though he hadn't been expecting treachery's cooperation to begin with, hoped for sure but seriously thought he would get. Ha, what did he think the zith was? An animal? How ridiculous. Alexander then bellowed the same question as before at him, cautiously edging forward as he went. Huh? He had just told him who he was. Was he seriously deaf? What an idiot. It seemed the weather agreed with him as the moonlight vanished before he could even start his second question. Now the deaf fool was blind too. But Treachery wasn't. The pair was quite close now though, if he wasn't careful things could turn ugly. Looking up slightly as the squire glared down at him, the zith found himself stumbling upon the man's eyes. So bright and shiny and filled with caution. It was a shame that in this colony he couldn't just pull them out. Eyeing the sword, a plan formed in the zith's mind. Still with the advantages the darkness gave him, Treachery closed the distance between him and Alexander. Throwing one hand towards the hand holding the squire's sword to try to prevent himself getting stabbed, the other went to grab the rim of the man's helmet. Pushing it upward and off the man's head, the squire had to balance on his tip toes to get the thing off. It was dropped to the ground with a 'thunk!' the moment he got it free, allowing the zith to trace his spar hand's claws gently over Alexander's neck before pressing the tips of the claws harder into his neck. It wasn't enough to hurt but enough to certainly be a threat. Grinning as he got a better look at the man's rather unique eyes, the zith was forced to squint when the moon light returned.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

As the darkness fell once again the pale moonlight falling from sight Alex’s shield arm, the one which had dropped slipped behind his back. Darkness wasn’t his ally. Not like it had been in the past. Into his instance the winged figure before him was simply staring at him. The clouds rolled over leth as the hand of his shield arm rolled over the edge of his dagger. Slow breaths. Calm, cautious, measured. Alex took a half step backwards now his weight shifted onto his hind leg. Within the darkness he heard a swirl of wind catching leather and then felt the clasping hands of the creature grip around his sword arm. Damn…I shouldn’t have let my guard down.

Alex’s shield hand should have moved to fight off the zith pulling off his helmet instead he gripped a hold of the dagger at his belt. Slipping it free of its bindings he brought it up just in time to feel the zith’s talons catch around his throat. Swallowing he held his dagger steady mid-distance away from the zith. And then the blessed leth-light returned. His true ally the light. Alex could feel a hope of releasing the situation grow, as the zith squinted. The moonlight which he’d bounced off of his shield earlier was his ally now blinding the zith. Alex brought his dagger up now in the brief respite placing the blade against the zith’s own throat. Please let this work...It has to work.

Alex breathed a shaky release now. A stalemate. If either one pressed the advantage both would end up in a bad way. Alright then looks like he doesn’t want to talk then. Alex’s helmet had hit the ground behind him. Both were poised at the worst position, Alex’s sword arm and main hand was being held at bay by the zith and his left hand was being weighed down by the shield. Alex then twisted the blade of his sword around in his hand for a reverse grip and pointed the tip across the space between them in the same brief blindness. Resting his sword atop the dagger blade now in a scissor like formation.

“I know you can speak, and I know there’s intelligence behind that feral appearance.” His voice unnervingly calm now. He was scared shykeless but still he had to make it seem like he had the upper hand. All the zith had to do was push and all Alex had to do was pull. “How about we get out of a bad situation before it escalates?” In all honesty Alex was in the worse position but he had to seem in control had to seem like he held the cards. It was a bluff, a gamble. One he hoped and prayed to priskil would pay off.

[Treachery]

Treachery's eye's slowly adjusted to the moonlight. It was annoying how it keep appearing and disappearing behind the clouds, blinding him each time. Growling softly, his eyes widened a fraction when the cold edge of a dagger rested itself against his throat. The zith almost flinched, the memory of an angry multiple armed woman instantly made him re count his opponents limbs before relaxing. He wasn't up for a repeat of that. Things only got more troublesome when the squire readjusted his sword grip, placing the blade with the dagger against his throat. Treachery quite liked his head where it was so didn't advance any further in his quest to better see the man's eyes. Stuck at a stalemate, the squire growled at Alexander only to stop when the man spoke in an irritatingly calm tone. Wait, was he calling him stupid? And ugly!? The claws pressed harder into the man's throat as the zith bared his fangs. Get out off a bad situation before it escalates? The man may have had a point but the squire's gut wanted to claw his head off his neck before another stupid word fell from it's lips. The image of blood gushing everywhere put and sinister smile on the zith's face as he wearily eyed the man's blades. But if he did that his patron would kill him. Most likely with that hammer of hers too. Suddenly less than eager to kill the man in front of him. Treachery thought carefully about what to do. Moving his hand up to get a better grip on the hand holding Alex's sword to at least prevent himself getting decapitated immediately, Treachery tilted his head to the side and observed the man. Despite the calm voice, Alexander's heart was beating fast and hard. Was this fool bluffing? Putting on a sadistic and toothy grin the zith relaxed, flapping his wings gently to send light gusts of air at the squire's face. Chuckling as he removed his claws from the man's neck and up to slap him lightly on the cheek. Curling the claws around the man's jaw bone. The zith dropped his smile. “No insult me. Besides you patron kill you if you kill other squires. So behave.” Removing his hand from Alex's jaw, the zith didn't hesitate to flick the other squire in the nose before he backed off quickly with a powerful flap putting a few more feet between them.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Thankfully the one thing which had been his ally was the one thing which had led to a situation where neither held the upper hand. The slight pressure from the creature’s claws against his neck made Alex on reflex press his blades a little harder into the creature’s neck. Given the distance between them, Alex could have just lopped this thing’s head off and called it an evening but no. There was something there something he’d spotted a cruel intelligence behind the eyes. As he’d said behind the look of ferocity there was a glimmer of intelligence.

The hand holding his sword arm gripped it a little firmer staying any kind of swing from that arm however his left hand with the dagger was still free to move. A situation that hadn’t changed. Even so Alex still felt terrified a deep seeded feeling of not knowing how to react to the situation. The bust of cold air into his features didn’t help. And then the creature spoke. Claiming that Alex had insulted him and that he was a squire as well. Alex glanced at the creature as it began to pull away. Feeling a sharp collision with his nose in the process.

“Didn’t mean to insult…Just entice speech.” Alex still spoke with the veneer of calm, which was all it was. “I’m not the one who decided to try and claw someone’s face off. And you’re telling me to behave?” A small look of incredulity crossed Alex’s features like he was trying to get across just how absurd the creature sounded. “Perhaps you have a name now that you’ve furnished me with speech?” Despite his unease and his fragility in current state, Alex chose to sheath the dagger again. His sword still bare and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

[Treachery]

Didn't mean to insult? Was he being honest? He had outright called him ugly and was continuing to look down on him even now, verbally as well as physically. Face already sceptical of the man, the squire looked outright pissed when he implied that Treachery was the one at fault. This idiot was really that blind? Not bothering to stop a growl sliding out his throat, the zith bore his teeth as his wings instinctively moved back, up and outwards making him look bigger. Forcing his claws into his palm, Treachery fought at his anger for a moment before focusing on finding the correct common to question the man in front of him's intelligence. “Sorry.” He didn't sound sorry in the slightest. A deep velvety voice making the apology sound more like a threat than anything. Still Alexander has sheathed one of his weapons and had according to the man, not meant to insult him in the first place. “ I no very good with language that no mine. Maybe we should have conversation in my mother tongue but I no think that be possible as you are horribly deaf and have already forgot my name despite repeat it back to me few chimes ago. I also no look to rip out throat at that time though such suggestion become very attractive now.” The last sentence was near enough growled, as the zith's eyes searched Alexander's face for any sign of weakness. He wanted so badly to kill this man and be done with it but that wouldn't pass. One almost arrest over a body he had found dead to begin with was enough for one life time. Taking in a deep breathe and letting out a frustrated hiss, Treachery uncurled his fists and forced his wings to flatten back down again his back. Violence, as much as he wanted it to be, wasn't the answer. “You irritate me much. Impressive. We only just meet.”