Closed Time to Patrol (Faircroft)

[Samuel Longwell]

Samuel Thoughts Others Samuel considered Alex's words, thinking about the disturbance. He had heard what the attacker had been shouting, blaming someone from outside the city for the fog. Samuel shook his head, what a stupid mindset. The knight had no time for people who assigned blame in such a way. He turned to the squire, a glint of anger in his eyes. “Aye, no-one got seriously hurt this time,” Samuel said, “but that wasn't through a lack of trying on their part. That glass bottle would have caused serious damage.” As he said this he gestured towards the two offenders. Samuel hated when people picked on people weaker than themselves. “I'll leave it up to the council what's to be done with these two.” Samuel said, “It's our job just to report what happened. Feel free to let whoever is on duty at the tank know your thoughts though, you arrived a little before me so you know more about the circumstances. Personally I think a couple of seasons of hard labour would straighten 'em out.” The squire clearly had some old pain associated with losing people due to inaction, which Samuel picked up on and empathised with. “I guess it's not that uncommon to feel responsible in some way” Samuel thought to himself, his thoughts touching on his own loss. Samuel glanced over at the squire as his captive started to struggle, but Alex calmly moved the arm he was holding to an even more uncomfortable position. Samuel nodded with respect, the squire was able to restrain without causing permanent damage. The two managed to get to the tank just as night was falling, both prisoners had become much more cooperative once Samuel reminded them about how dangerous it was to be outside at night. Samuel explained in detail what happened at the Stallion and waited for Alex to do the same. “Right” Samuel said, “we'd better carry on with this patrol then.” Samuel set off at a quick pace, wanting to get back to where they'd been designated to patrol.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

“I agree that someone may have gotten hurt but they didn’t. And that was due to our intervention. However I don’t exactly think that these two…morons, would cause that sort of incident had it not been for the fact they’re cooped up inside for long hours and twitchy because of the fog?” Alex’s argument was fair especially after hearing the sort of punishment that Samuel was willing to give them. Then again Alex may have been a lot softer in that regard. Wanting to see the good in people over other things.

The arrival at the tank and subsequent deposit of the two miscreants was swift and Alex gave his opinion on what should happen to them. Despite that Alex had a firm feeling that no matter what he said it wasn’t going to end well for the two. Alex stepped out with a little bit more of a weight to his steps.
“It's hard to punish people like this in that manner. At least when there are those who just kill and kill without any repercussion. Or at the very least penance. Don't people who've killed deserve punishment more than a flat death sentence? So why should two people who're clearly scared be sent to the mines for letting their fears and booze get the better of them? ” The question wasn’t meant to be answered, and just hung in the air, seemingly pulling down the mood of the affairs with the fading light in the sky.

The duo walked back onto their prescribed pathing. The route that had been preordained. Alex glanced out into the fog and swore he caught something, a shadow running out of the corner of his vision.
“Ser. I’d recommend being extra cautious. I don’t think were alone out here, and curfew is already up.” Alex’s hands went to the bastard swords at his sides, the heavy handed pieces of steel firmly in his grip, ready for him to draw at a moment’s notice. Still though it wasn’t nerves which was prompting this action, merely caution. Something about this fog felt less than natural. More synthetic than he’d hoped. Perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but then again he’d seen shadows scream past the corner of his eye since he arrived back in the city.

[Reflection]

The shadows wavered, grew and fell. They were indeed shifting and appeared as though to come alive. A curl of fog moved slowly from the ground, wrapping around itself despite the breeze. The footsteps of the Guardsmen who'd just passed awaking the mist.

It continued to curl around itself, growing slowly and gradually. A small hand formed and the soft pillowy fingers wriggled in a new movement. The digits stretched as the shape grew further, grasping at the stone beneath the palm. An arm rose, and the shoulder and torso began to follow suit. A faceless head formed and stretched its neck while it shifted.

A fight broke out nearby, and the guardsmen's attention was directed elsewhere as the shift crawled itself from the dense fog in the shadows of the building. Testing its feet, a few steps were taken in the direction of the commotion that woke it from its slumber. A large black gaping mouth stretched unnaturally long; its jaw halfway down its chest as it screamed silently at the racket.

Twisting and bending, it's soft white plume limbs moved forward. Its path only ticks behind that of the two men in heavy armor now walking away from it. Following the noise makers for a few moments, it's dead empty eyes watched as the two departed.

With a snap of its head to the side, the misty legs began to sink back into the curls of fog at its feet. The body still moved forward; its path now along the shadows of the buildings but the same as the other two.

If they turned and looked they may see as the body of the beast began to crumple, the peace and quiet giving it no reason to continue forth. Its head would begin to crumble and disperse into the mist that clung to the thick wet bricks. However, if they didn't then no one may be the wiser, as curfew had indeed been called.

[Samuel Longwell]

Samuel Thoughts Others Samuel listened as Alex again made his case for the two offenders, it was clearly weighing heavily on the squire's mind about what would happen to them. The knight reconsidered his own opinion, the younger man had made a fair case and perhaps Samuel was being too harsh. He didn't want to admit it, but the heavy fog was making Samuel irritable as well. Samuel sighed, his temper was more under control than it had been for a while but this damnable weather was bringing out the worst in him. “I'll tell you what lad,” Samuel began, “I'll head down to the tank first thing tomorrow and put in a word for them. The council know the mist is making everyone jumpy so I'm sure they'll be more lenient than usual.” Samuel fell silent, caught up in his own thoughts. At Alex's warning, Samuel unslung the shield from his back and placed his hand on his sword. He walked as quietly as he could, straining his eyes and ears to catch anything that might give him a possible target. The pair were oblivious to the misty figure silently tracking them from the shadows, cold eyes following their movements as they continued to make their way forward. Samuel's attention was forward, keeping his breathing shallow to avoid making too much noise. As their misty pursuer began to disappear back into the darkness another creature started to form out of the fog in front of them. Samuel drew his sword as he spotted the apparition, his eyes widening in shock as it seemed to crawl out of the shadows. “Yahal preserve us” Samuel whispered. The figure was 7 feet tall, it's body an unnatural twisting of the humanoid form. It turned its head towards the two armoured figures and started to approach menacingly. Samuel pushed down his fear, preparing himself to fight. “Right Alex,” Samuel said, trying to make light of the situation, “I guess I'm gonna find out just how good you are with those weapons of yours.”

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Alex foolishly glanced behind him. Looking back into the mist to see what had scraped the edge of his vision, and almost instantly regretted it. For the briefest fragment of a second his eyes locked with those of the creature behind him. Alex’s ones used to strange and fearful occurrences look a small moment to register the cold, dead, almost ungainly creature that just vanished into vapour. Alex then turned back around as he heard the voice of Samuel. Not quite a blaspheme but enough to let Alex know that Sam had seen something similar. Swallowing hard Alex flicked his yes back across to see the seven feet of pitch black monstrosity.

Suddenly Alex’s mind snapped back to a conversation with Archie, and something in his head clicked.
“Tar.” The only word Alex spoke as the soft hiss of two swords being drawn cut through the air. Twin bastard swords now sat in Alex’s hands. Alex shook lightly partially from fear, partially from excitement. Alex let both swords tilt towards the ground. Something he was unused to doing, and at the very least unused to swinging efficiently. This would possibly burn his stamina down at an accelerated rate but by thunder it was going to cause some damage on this unholy twisted monstrosity.

“I’ll make sure to give a through display. Though I’d recommend we hang back and see what this…Towering abomination does.” Alex shifted his feet a little watching. Examining. Taking in all he could. Using what he knew of reach to estimate how much room he had against the monster. But given the fact he’d never seen something like this… That pretty much meant less than nothing.
“Also Ser, I don’t want to alarm you, but there’s another one out in the mists that’s potentially behind us. So I’d recommend keeping your guard up in all respects from all angles.” Swallowing hard again, Alex’s voice changed again becoming harder, firmer, more resolute. He couldn’t afford to show fear, he could afford to look weak. And to that extend he charged in. Closing the distance and making sure that he got close enough to probe its attack range whilst attacking himself.

His right arm swung out like a whip with the sword in his fingers, his left blade poised on his side to intercept any strikes from the large beast. He was nowhere near fluid with the blades but he knew well enough how to use one in each hand individually, and how to swing one at a time.

[Samuel Longwell]

Samuel Thoughts Others “I'm pretty sure it's not friendly,” Samuel stammered, “but I agree. I'd rather not fight it if at all possible.” Samuel stared as the creature started to pick up its pace. Nope, definitely not friendly. Samuel grimaced when he heard Alex suggest there was another of the creatures behind them. Samuel risked a brief glance behind him, but couldn't see anything through the thick fog. Samuel turned just as Alex charged in, slicing with his sword. The sight of the squire charging into battle pushed the fear out of Samuel's system. He would not let anyone under his command be harmed. The creature moved incredibly quickly once threatened, evading Alex's blows with seemingly little difficulty. It then struck back at Alex, a coiled limb unfurling to bash at the squire's helm. Samuel responded by charging in to meet the monstrosity, bellowing a challenge as he swung with his shield. The creature batted the shield away, its twisted form clearly stronger than it looked. The knight swung with his sword wildly, hoping to do even a little damage to the enemy. But it was to no avail, again and again the creature avoided Samuel's attempts. Finally the creature launched itself at Samuel knocking him to the ground with a resounding thump. Samuel's back flashed with agony, but he managed to keep his shield between him and the flailing limbs of his opponent. Samuel occasionally jabbed out with his sword but the creature barely even glanced at it as it batted it aside. However the beast had left itself exposed, presenting an undefended back to the squire as it wailed on the knight. Samuel realised he just had to hold out until Alex intervened.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

The strike against Alex snapped out with force almost like a black whip rather than the willowy arm that came hurtling at him. Alex lifted his left hand sword to parry it but instead only succeeded in meeting the blow and decreasing the impact against his helm. The strike sent him reeling slightly as he slammed into a wall with a good chunk of force. Something in his shoulder tweaking a little. That’s going to suck in the morning…If I even get too see it. Hissing through his teeth Alex rose back to his feet.

As Samuel seemed to find his courage he challenged the creature. That gave Alex enough time to piece together some facet of a plan. Instead of heading together and striking the same spot with both blades Alex had an epiphany. A break through. His right hand sword swung low aiming to take the creature off at its feet. His left swung high looking to find purchase across the shoulders of the twisted abomination. Of the walking mass of Tar before them.
“Hey! Creepy!” Alex roared out in a voice so loud no-one would have thought it was the quiet and reserved squire who’d spoken. At the voice rang out and the words resonated, the creature whipped its head almost a full one-eighty around its shoulders only to catch a face full of Alex’s swords. Both arms too preoccupied with wailing on Samuel. Though that was about to change.

Alex whirled his swords up to try and block what happened next however the arm bit down so hard against the blades Alex feared they both may snap. Alex was then sent skidding across the stonework and into another wall. It was at that exact moment of impact Alex thanked whoever was listening for the fact the knights had beaten him to be this durable. Though to his credit he’d managed to sever a foot from the beast. And take out half of its face.
“Now you’re not just creepy…You’re ugly too, haha, ha-Ow…” He managed to chuckle out hoping to buy himself some time as it shuffled towards him for Samuel to get the killing blow.

[Samuel Longwell]

Samuel Thoughts Others Alex's blades flashed out, each slicing into the form of the creature. Even in the circumstances Alex's quip brought a grin to Samuel's face. It's mouth opened over a foot wide as if to silently scream and spun to face the new attacker. “Now it's my turn” Samuel growled quietly as the weight of the monster came off his chest. He immediately thrust his blade into its torso and stood to his feet, but the monster was far too busy throwing the squire into a wall to notice. Samuel's eyes narrowed, if they didn't finish this fight soon this thing was gonna break them into pieces. His sword slashed constantly, not trying to be clever just hacking away at the strange substance the monstrosity was made of. Its head turned slightly towards the knight, torn about who to attack. Samuel smiled, as powerful as this thing was it wasn't used to fighting more than one enemy at a time. Taking advantage of its brief hesitation, Samuel barrelled into the creature with his shield raised to block any strikes from above. The monster was forced back a step, it appeared the injuries the two men had inflicted upon it had sapped its considerable strength. However, it was still considerably stronger than any man, which Samuel soon discovered. An incredibly powerful blow struck Samuel's shield, forcing him down onto one knee. The knight felt something as the shield rang out, the blow has dislocated his shoulder. Pain flashed down Samuel's left arm, making him grit his teeth. Samuel roared as he slashed out, removing the other foot from the creature. Another blow to the man's shield knocked him to the ground, nearly passing out from the pain in his shoulder. In his addled state the knight started thinking about the baths, and how lovely a healing massage would be right now.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

The sound which pierced the open air was one Alex was familiar with. The Sickening pop of a joint coming out of place. Something which Alex had heard twice in his experience, and as if to reconfirm it his left elbow began to pulse with pain despite never being touched. Samuel was doing as well as he could and Alex still was trying to push as best he could trying to do whatever he could to slay this beast. Alex bolted off and raced towards the creature.
“Sorry Ser! Get your shield up!” Alex roared out as he leapt up behind the creature, using his full body weight and the weight of his armour on top of it. He stabbed down both blades into the creature’s back each one sank into the beast half-way down to the hilt. Alex then kicked his legs back and sank to his knees using his weight to drag the blades down through the creature.

A cross between a silent scream and a wallowing gurgle that a drain makes pierced the open space as Alex drew both blades down its back drawing the beast’s attention. If this didn’t kill this monstrosity, then very little would. His blades drew together as he pulled them further down almost carving the beast into three pieces. As the sliding stopped and Alex came to a halt on his knees, the creature before him looked like a peeled banana. Arms and good portions of its chest cavity dangling off to each side. Hanging loosely its arms flat and limp against the ground.

With a spluttering cough first mostly from the force of the impacts now catching up with him Alex spoke. “You alright Ser?” Alex winced lightly standing back to full and Placing his blades across each other in an X-formation he drew them together swiftly scissoring the creature’s head clean off. Alex winced lightly rolling his left elbow around remembering the pain there. Holding both blades in his left hand he offered his right to help Samuel up. As he did a sight grabbed hold of him. Something which both gave him pause and made him want to run. The huge cavity that he’d carved each side of the abominations torso had begun to attempt to stitch itself back together.

“We need to go, now.” Alex spoke as he watched a little longer. Then the unthinkable happened, the creature began to flake away. Each piece of its blackened flash turning back into the thin white fog that surrounded them.

Boo!

[Samuel Longwell]

Samuel Thoughts Others Samuel could hear the squire's voice through the haze of pain that fogged his mind. What was his name? Faircroft. Alex Faircroft. The knight slowly regained his bearings as the pain became more manageable. There was a hint of nervousness in the squire's voice, barely detectable. Samuel shook his head, confused by how little he could see. Ah, the fog. Samuel looked over as the creature started to dissipate, then nodded. “Aye, let's go.” he agreed, “I think another of those would be the death of me. I guess you saved me huh?” Samuel thanked Alex, then the pair started walking as swiftly as they could back to the Barracks. Samuel walked with a slight limp, apparently his shoulder wasn't the only place he'd been harmed. The walk back was painful for both men, although Samuel's injuries were more severe. It seemed like every step jarred his shoulder, sending tendrils of pain all through his torso and neck. He needed to see a healer as soon as possible. Teeth gritted, he pushed himself onward. The pair would be very little use to the city like this and they needed to make their report as soon as possible. The rest of the journey was uneventful, the streets quiet. Something that Samuel was certainly glad about. When they arrived at the barracks, Samuel dutifully made his report. Alex helped, recounting it from his own perspective. Once done, Samuel was tended to by a knight with some experience with medicine.