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Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 6: Shady Confrontation

Lyndis watched the sun start to set to the west, the once blue sky filled with fluffy clouds now looked like a painting. Long stretches of orange mixed together of all different shades of yellow, twisting round and round. Black clouds sailed on by with the next breeze, rustling her hair against her face. She looked down to the seemingly always busy streets to see everything cast in long shadows. People had already started to hang mana crystal lanterns by their doors, or light torches in preparation for the coming night. She watched two gryphons fly by, playfully chasing one another. It does seem like they were always playing. She sighed, sometimes wishing that is all she would have to care about. No wars, not epic quests. She closed her eyes for a moment. No parents acting strange. Just living carefree.

She breathed in deeply, letting her chest rise and fall in her studded leather armor. She caught the lingering smell of stone, mixed with a tint of flowers. She sighed, thanking the gods for that flower cart that was still next to Gus' house. She opened her eyes once more, as her ears perked up. The loud sounds of the day were starting to quiet down, but her sight was drawn to a horse drawn carriage as it clacked along the cobble stone. Today was a good day. She smiled, thinking about the meeting with Hogar, and than meeting with the others. She had told them to ready themselves for the mission tonight. Veledar had almost been beside himself, jumping for literal joy inside the house. She had chuckled as all the little knickknacks around the house rattled, and threatened to shake from their resting places. I am going to miss him. She sighed, resting her hands into her lap. Who could believe everything had gone so fast? She looked up once more into the ever shrinking orange sky. That they stand a few hours from our quest being over. She slumped her shoulders. Perhaps I will travel with Merlia, she always is looking for an adventure. Just like me I suppose.

She remembered how Arcturus had asked her a myriad of questions about the contacts they were meeting. Were they dangerous, could they trust them, how many of them, what were their names. Things that she was able to answer truthfully at least. Yes, somewhat, not that many, and she had told him they belonged to a gang called the many eyed. She once again had held up her fingers and wiggled them. I liked taunting them like that. She smiled. Honestly? The many eyed? She held a hand to her head, pulled it back, and let out a chuckle. Arcturus had taken notes of her answers, his eyes full of determination. Veledar had sat beside him the entire time, inspecting the so called battle plan. “As a leader should." the dragon had said. Lyndis had grinned as she saw Arcturus stroke Veledar gently with his other hand as he wrote. I really hope one of them says something. Or hell I just might have to push them together and yell KISS DAMNT!

The plan was going to be simple, once inside the place they were to fan out and start looking for this book of Veledar's. They however had no idea where it could be. Gus had suggested it might be in the high wizards tower with a shrug. Lyndis had suggested the vault, after all they had to go there anyway. She had brought this up, and mentioned the chest full of magic items.

“You promised them the items?" Arcturus had gasped, eyeing her with suspicion. “I thought you were on our side?"

She had smirked and dismissed him with a wave. “I lied to them Arcturus, besides now we have their help.....and the location of some fine treasure.....I consider a win...win." She had crossed her arms, as the human's suspicious gaze turned into a happy one. “To think Arcturus, you doubted me."

“Not for a moment. I suspected you were playing an angle." They spoke about what spells to prepare and what kind of defensed would be awaiting them in the castle. Arcturus spoke of royal guards, armed with full plate of the finest metals, energy crossbows, and excellent training. They probably even have a team or two he had led. Lyndis had looked to everyone as he had described what they were up against. No one seemed concerned in the slightest. There was a course talk about how to mitigate some threats, from charms, to sleep spells, to gas. They agreed getting suck in a long combat was the last thing they wanted. They were there to get in, grab the book and bolt for it. Hopefully we have enough time to snag those magic items along the way. She rubbed her hands together, already picturing a ring or two on her hands made of gold with small rubies placed carefully within them. She ran a hand around her bare neck to feel around the collar. She pictured a thin metal wire hanging a smell silver amulet around her neck, dangling there working it's magic. Maybe something to help me stick to walls. She grinned as she watched a group of people walk from one corner, and disappear around another. That would certainly help with the whole tomb looting thing.

Merlia had just laughed at all the dangers and tossed three quivers of arrows onto the table, along with a musical instrument she had laughing called a bagpipe. “Knew you would like it." She laughed, as Veledar groaned out. He moved into the dwarf and threatened to rip the thing to pieces. She tapped his snout with a finger and just gave him a hearty laugh. “Ifn ya break me stuff Crimson Sky." She held up an arrow. “I'm going to shove dis here arrow as far up yet slit as I can."

“Well I best just steal all your arrows then." Veledar grabbed the arrow with his snout and snapped it in half. He than bounded to be behind Arcturus as Merlia roared at him. She shook her fist as she went on and on with what she was going to do to the dragon, each one sounding more painful then the next. She just watched the dragon chuckle to himself as he tapped his tail on the floor. He just loves messing with her. She had laughed, as the dwarf returned to her seat, and packed her things into her pack. She grumbled the entire time, but Veledar ceased his taunting of her. He seemed to occupied in Arcturus' petting him. The dragon leaned into the human's touch, and released a soft croon of happiness.

Asterion had stayed quiet the entire time, and just listened to the plan. He only seemed interested when she had gone over the vault. She described that this was the royal treasury were they kept all the kinds gold, gems, art, and magical items stashed away. “Would they have diamonds there?" the bull had asked, his eyes lighting up.

“Yes Asterion" She had replied, “I imagine the king must have a diamond or two stashed away in there somewhere." She had placed a hand to her side. “ready to tell us what they are for?"

“No." he had snorted, “I was just curious....and if we could snag some on the way that would be most beneficial."

“So I figure we are getting out the way we came?" Arcturus asked.

“I figure the many eye's people will keep the way open for us. If not? Than yes we will have to be going back out the way we came. She had sighed, “Hopefully we don't draw too much attention."

Another gust of wind brought her out of the memory. This time her cloak blew violently in the wind, and something caught her eye. Across the street was an alley way, with the standard assortment of boxes, trash, and other things. The suns light seemed to avoid the place, not even a lantern was lighting it up. However what caught her eye was not the dark area, or the boxes, or even the trash. There among them all was the orange head of a hob-goblin, with a poofy white wig on his head. Hogar? What are you doing here? _ She watched him just stick his head out, looking around the street at all the other people casually walking along. He stayed low, allowing his black leathers to blend into the shadows, and he saw him look up at the building she was on. _Did he come to tell us something? She thought to her deal with him. Did he hear my idea to not follow through? How could he have heard that? She felt worry spread through her mind, it would mean big trouble for her and the group if that was the case. I took the precautions, there was NO way he heard me......Than why is he here across the street? She crouched low as she checked her gear, making sure she had everything in place. Just in case things got....problematic.

_ Perhaps they moved up the time on the entry?_ That could have been it, maybe things had not gone as smooth. She scowled at the thought. Why can things just never go right?.....Because that's how you prove your the best. She swung herself off the roof of the building and found a foot hold with her boot. It proved to be sturdy and she made her way down, quickly, expertly finding hand and foot holes to aide in her descent. When she was just 6 feet from the ground she jumped off, and landed on her feet with a thump. If only they had more things to flip and slow her descent, she could have made that a bit more interesting to watch. She laughed, looking back to the alleyway. Your starting to sound like the bloody dragon Lyndis. Next thing you know your going to be sprouting horns and a tail....._He thoughts drifted to the green scales of Cordenth. How gentle he had been, and how sweet when the others were not around. _Being a dragon would not be the worst thing....She grinned,

She looked across the street. Hogar was still looking up a the building she was just on. Did he not see me get down? That was probably the un sneakiest way I could have gotten down. She shrugged and blended in with the few people walking by. She made her way like this, passing from group to group. Her eyes always on the hob-goblins position. It could be an illusion. I can cast them after all. She shook her head. Unless he did go end up learning magic in the time we had been apart. She watched, usually you could spot a shimmer if you looked hard enough. Or something was just not right, like it was missing breaths, cycled a same movement or did not blink. This one, if it was an illusion seemed to be like the real deal. It would fidget, breath, blink, and occasionally look in different directions like it was anxious of something. Its most likely the real Hogar at this point. Its been longer than five minutes at least, and that's the longest this type of illusion could last.

She straitened her walk, squared her shoulders, and brushed the hair away from her face. She strode over to the nervous hob-goblin, he hand briefly trying to go to her rapier. She fought the urge, and rested it at her belt instead. No sense in blowing this out of proportion here. _ She touched the clasp on her cloak, causing her to feel the sensation of being wrapped in a sheet of cold water. She looked down to see that her body was muted colors, the sign that she was invisible. She strode over quietly, right past the hob-goblin. She saw his ear twitch for a moment, but he did move to look at her. _Might as well look around to see if he has any friends lurking nearby. She grinned to herself, The cloak does give me an hour after all.

She started her inspection of the alleyway, making extra sure to not disturb anything that might alert Hogar to her presence. She ran her fingers over stone, looking for secret doors, latches, stashes. Anything that would warrant the orange skinned man to be here. She sighed as her search turned up nothing. There were not even any hiding ambushes, planning to aid her acquaintance. He was simply just here, alone, and staring intently at the building. Perhaps he is just here to watch the place, keep track of where we are, and if we even leave for the castle. She strode back over to Hogar, and snuck up right behind him. “So Hogar, what brings the paladin to were I am staying?" she said loudly.

Hogar jumped nearly three feet of the ground like a scared cat, as he clutched his chest with his orange hand tightly. “W-who goes there?" he cried out, backing against a crate and nearly falling over. He had caught himself at the last second, his breaths were ragged.

“Why are you here Hogar?"

“Oh really funny LYNDIS." he gasped, clutching at his heart. “Just sneak up and scare a perfectly honest person right out of his shoes." Hogar looked around with his eyes, she could see him scanning the area for her. “I was just in the area, wanted to check on you is all. Just didn't want to wait outside."

Right.."So do you always just sit outside a girls home of residence like a creep? Cause just so you know, that is really not the way to win her heart Hogar."

“You know dearest LYNDIS." He looked around once again, his eyes still filled with worry. “Why don't we have this talk so I can see you. It is kinda rude you know, to have me talking to thin air." he stood back up, and moved his hand to caress his chin. “Unless your planning to run me through with that rapier of yous.....well I suppose not....you would have done it by now." He held up a hand with a finger high, “Unless you wanted to get information out of me dead LYNDIS." He stopped pacing and sighed. “I was just keeping an eye on you. Boss was really interested in you LYNDIS."

Why does he keep putting such emphasis on my name? Her hair stood up on the back of her neck, something was not right here. She looked him over, No weapons at his belt, none that she could see......but they could be hidden of course. “Listen Hogar, you go run and tell your boss we are capable of making it to the meeting spot on our own thank you very much. We are not children after all. Even if Veledar acts like one at times. “You had me worried that the plan had to get canceled, or moved up to be earlier."

“Well nothing like that LYNDIS, the plan is still for your friends to make it to the meet-up, and get into the castle." Hogar still was looking for her, she watched his eyes still filled with nervousness frantically dart across the alley. He was looking for ANYTHING that would give away her position. So she crouched in place, only a few feet in front of him. “Well excellent, than I can just be on my way to tell my boss about this predicament." he clasped his hands together. “I did not think you needed guidance as well, but what are you going to do when the leader of your whole crew tells ya to do something? Disobey the powerful creature? What do I look like?

So their leader was a creature. Could he be a dragon? Maybe one that ran things from the shadows like Emerald Lady? She shook her head, No she was probably a rare occurrence, you do not hear or see of many dragons in Lumara for good reason.....all the dragon hunters.....and the Lunds especially.

“Now LYNDIS" Hogar gave a bow. “I must really be going, so if you ARE going to attack me I suggest you get it over with, because I am going to be walking away now."

Something was certainly fishy here, but she did not want to risk blowing her advantage here. She looked to him, his weaponless form. He did not even carry a pack or anything, Maybe he is telling the truth, and only came here on his bosses wishes.

“Ok then, I am leaving now. Once again LYNDIS it was a pleasure meeting you.....Even if I did not get to see you this time." Hogar gave a polite bow, making sure to hold his wig in place. “Have a nice night storming the castle LYNDIS." he turned on his boot and casually walked down the street. She even heard him start to whistle a long drawn out note.

She turned her head to look at the empty alleyway now, only the sound of her heart beat and breath were left. That's when she saw a small brown bag tossed over the edge of the roof, followed by harsh whispers. The bag tumbled and fell, and impacted the ground, and burst. There was a cascade of bright lights of all different colors, as they soon exploded outwards. Lyndis held up her hand to shield her eyes. It only lasted for a moment, and when she put her hand down the alleyway was covered in what appeared to be a shiny glitter, that glowed slightly even in the shadows. She quickly glanced at her body, to find it was covered in the same material. Uh-oh Her ears twitched as she heard the heavy boots and the drawing of weapons.

She spun around, drawing her rapier, to find two figures dressed in pitch black studded leather. The balls of silver metal glinted slightly with the setting sun. They already had two short swords each, held firmly in black glove covered hands. She took a step back as they advanced with a heavy step. They can see me. Their eyes stared at her down, as they moved in sync with one another. Dark hoods covered their heads, and masks covered their faces. They advanced in silence, and when they entered the alley they made no noise. Wait why are they making no noise? She tried to make a gesture and summon forth flames from her hands, but found she had no voice. Her lips made the mouth movements, but the words would not spring forth. A Silence spell! Her eyes widened as she ducked from the violent slash of one of the sword. She went to strike his open spot in his defense, but he quickly recovered and had her striking thin air. His partner did not give her a moment to recover as he decided to strike in that moment. She dodged out of the way, his sword only briefly touching her cloak.

They did not blindly attack her, every step she took they took a similar one. Each strike she tried to make one would avoid while the other attacked. They are good. She briefly scanned to the roof, finding a set of eyes looking down on her from atop the building. I bet that's the caster who silenced the area. Without a sound she avoided two more sword strikes, this time she countered and managed to score a strike on one her attackers. However he had managed to turn what would have been a killing blow into something that nicked his armor, as he jumped back at the last second. He has my reflexes. She cursed as his buddy struck her rapier. It rattled for a moment, but she held firm onto the hilt. She pulled a dagger with one of her hands, she leaped away from her attacker, and flung it towards the figure on the roof. She heard him give a pained yell, as he fell backwards clutching the dagger. Guess the sounds are on now.

“Arcturus!" She shouted out, as she was backed towards the end of the alley. Damn't if only I did have the ability to climb walls. She scowled as her two attackers chuckled. They did not even look worn out as they took another step, their blades ready it seemed to taste her blood. She held out and cupped her left hand, “yol haal" she yelled out. Flames sprung forth in a torrent of red and orange towards the man.

He dodged the flame with what looked like practice. He bounded towards her, his sword slashing through the air towards her flame spewing hand. She tried to pull it away before the blade sliced it into her, but she was not fast enough. The blade sliced into her forearm, a shallow cut, that made her wince as blood splattered onto the ground. She gritted her teeth as his buddy moved in to take advantage of this ground gained. She parried his attack, making his sword strike the alleyway wall, sending a quick flash of sparks onto the street. She flicked her wrist, causing a green hand to spring forth from it, and leap at the man who had sliced into her.

He let out a startled cry as the disembodied hand collided with his face, and he by reflex grabbed at the thing that latched onto his face. She side stepped another failed attack by the right attacker, and thrust her rapier towards the panicking man. Her rapier found it's mark, piercing the man's leather armor this time, right where his heart should be. She followed through, using her weight to topple the man over onto the street. He hit with a dull thud, as his swords clattered to the ground. I have to get the others!" “Arcturus!" she shouted out towards the house across the street, her boots pushing her forwards towards the street. She almost made it to the cobbled street when she saw a brightly colored first go to strike her. She pushed off with her foot to try and avoid it, but it was too late. Even with her effort the fist collided with her chest.

It felt like she was hit by a towering giant. The air was driven from her lungs, as she felt something crack. She flew several feet through the air, as the rapier fell from her grasp. It clattered to the ground, as she hit the stone with a spike of pain. She tumbled, and spun, as her bones rattled inside of her, making her teeth chatter. She felt her body collide with the other man she had been fighting, he collapsed forward as she continued to roll. Her vision was a blur, and was only filled with stars as she felt herself collide with the back wall of the alley. Her body lit up in pain as her chest felt like it was on fire. She let out a groan, struggling to take her next breath. Red lines framed her vision, as she let out a loud ragged cough. She felt herself spit something up onto her chest. She let out another groan. Ugh it felt like my lung!

Her chest stung as she took a deep breath, it felt like little daggers were poking into her lungs. She thrashed, coughed, and clutched her side from the pain. What the fock hit me? She held her head up weakly looking into the now red alley. Although that was probably from her vision not the alley actually being red. She burst into another painful coughing spasm, that shook her entire body. Stars once again exploded in her eyes. AAAAAAAGGGG She reached out weakly for her weapon as the cloaked figure was walking towards her down the alley way. The only thing she could make out was the multicolored gauntlet clutching his jet black robe. The only identifying symbol on the robe was a small symbol at the top with the image of circle surrounded with nine eyes, all connected with what looked like tentacles. The stars in her eyes intensified, but through it she could still make out the figure walking towards her.

_ Shite...Shite...Shite!_ She fumbled with her pouches with each long agonizing slow step the figure made. It was like they knew they were already the victor in this little trade off. Not today, you focking asrsehole. She unbuckled a pouch and fumbled around. She gritted her teeth as she felt shards of glass cut her hand, spilling even more of her blood from her body. Well that would just be typical, I take a fall and my health potions sha-- Her fingers brushed against what felt like an unbroken bottle. Thank the gods. She pulled it out, and quickly pulled out the cork with her teeth, and gulped down the sour tasting, bitter after tasting red liquid.

She felt a warming sensation start in her chest as she felt some of her bones reset into place. She took a breath, finding it still stung like someone was pinching them, but thankfully not like it had done before. She reached for her rapier, and gave a frown. It was still over- She had to roll out of the way, as the figure gave the spot where she had been a swift kick with bare feet. She heard stone shatter as their foot collided with the wall. How crazy strong is this person? She flicked her wrist, summoning the hand again, letting it fly into the figures hood. She sprung up to her feet, grabbed the figures head and slammed it into the wall. She tried to not take TOO much satisfaction at the sound of their pained grunt. She bolted for the street again, her legs lighting up in pain. She clenched her teeth and fought through it , as she jumped over the leather clad man from before. Nice try you focking...... Suddenly her whole body froze in place. She tried to move her arms, and found them stuck. A test of her legs came back with the same result. NO! She screamed internally, as she continued to struggle. But she was like a passenger in her own body. She could not even move her eyes from side to side to see what happened. The figure on the roof! He must have cast a focking spell.

“Well you certainly put up a good fight princess." boasted a gruff male voice from behind. “You were a tad tougher than I thought."

“You almost killed her!" came a squeaky voice from above. It sounded like it belonged to a small creature. Possibly a kobold or goblin. 'The boss is not going to like you used the gauntlets on her!"

“The boss wont care... in the end I didn't kill her." the figure strode to be in front of her, cupping her chin with a hand. “Isn't that right princess?"

_ When I get out of this, I'm going to carve whatever focking face you have under there._ She tried to give the man a glare, but once again found herself unable to move in the slightest. Although thankfully she could still breath. Small miracles.

The man removed his hood to reveal a worn rugged face of a human. He had many scars over his brow and cheeks, that were several inches long. His cold blue eyes glared at her, full of malice, and made her feel uneasy. “Now we best get her out of here before her friends come looking."

“Oh they wont come looking! I left a note for them!" the squeaky voice chimed in, sounding full of pride. “They gonna think she left them..yes sir....!"

Than you don't know my friends you squeaky fock.

“Well regardless, I don't think they will be much trouble anyway. Boss got a surprise for THEM at their little meeting." the blue eyed man chuckled as he pulled out some rope. “Now don't worry princess, were not going to hurt you anymore." he crouched low and forced her hands together. She felt him roughly tie the rope snugly, almost to the point it was painful. “Now we will heal ya up when we get back home, get ya a meal." He moved to force her legs together, and started tying them together as well. “Not as fancy as the royal meals ya used ta, but you'll like a hot meal I imagine."

He stood up to look her in the eyes. “Besides your going to be a guest for Lumara's king, probably want ta discuss Drenedar with ya. Now I am going to have to put you to sleep now princess. Don't worry your pretty little face, were not going to try anything naughty with ya." he slapped her face lightly with the palm of his hand. He pulled out a small white cloth and pushed it against her nose.

She resisted, held her breath for as long as she could muster. DONT YOU BREATHE LYNDIS. Her eyes wanted to look to the house, see her friends running down to come help her. But they were not coming. Than you better see through that note....or I wont let you hear the end......of it. She took a light breath and felt her vision fade, the sounds around her became dull. Her eyes shut slowly, and her consciousness spiraled into a pool of darkness. She thought she heard the man chuckle to himself before everything went blank.