This is just the introduction to a story involving my main. It might not be well written, but it's the best I can get out of me. Enjoy!
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Like all of his people, he was patient. Sitting noiselessly on a large branch overlooking a small camp, he waited, watched, and calculated. He had sat there for nearly a whole day, and on into this quiet night. His presence was not yet known to the lone man sitting at the camp, staring into the flickering fire. That will soon change.
He dropped out of the tree even more quietly than the cats. He skulked in the underbrush, his ashen face reflecting the soft orange warmth of the campfie ahead. Only 5 meters away sat the man, still unaware of the ashen faced one not far behind him. The one in the brush drew out his bow, an Akat Long Bow he had "borrowed" from a wealthy shopkeeper in Giran. He slipped a nicely fletched steel arrow from his quiver dangling at this side. He nocked this arrow quickly and silently, and drew his bow back, raising it towards the back of the man so involved in the safety and warmth of his campfire. However the ashen faced bowman did not fire yet... His presence was still unknown.
The man sitting next to the fire was suddenly drawn away from his fantasy world inside the flames, his comfort and companion alone in the wilderness. Something caused him to turn around and look into the blackness of the forest behind him. At first, nothing was there. However, pale eyes reflected the orange light of his fire, and he saw the ashen face.
A noise, like the snapping of a small twig followed soon after. It was quiet for a mere second, quiet and peaceful. Where the mans heart once beat, an arrow now lay. There was no pain in the eyes of the man, only the comforting warmth of the campfire. He slumped down onto the ground, never to see his sanctuary in the darkness again.
The ashen faced one who had taken this peaceful mans life away from him calmly walked over to his body. He knelt beside him him and closed his eyes. "I am Cervantos, and now your life is mine," he said sullenly to the dead man that lay at his feet. Cervantos searched the body for what he had come for, and found nothing. After letting out a soft sigh he lifted the man over his shoulders and carried him to his fate.
Part Two! Enjoy!
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Cervantos crouched under a tree just west of the wall surrounding Giran. The man he had killed was still slung over his shoulder. He had to make his way inside the city without being seen. He glaced up at the tree, studying the thinkness of the branches hanging over the wall. Cervantos knew this would be difficult, be he HAD to get inside.
Repositioning the dead man across his shoulder to better accommidate his weight, Cervantos started up the tree. His nimble yet strong arms and legs pulled his and the mans weight cautiously up the old tree. As he neared the branches overhanging the wall, he could hear the voices of the merchants in the main plaza, even at this hour. When Cervantos finally reached the thickest branch going over the wall, he tested it's strength, and set his foot out to step into danger.
Each heavy step onto the limb was carefully measured and planned. He could not risk this one, it was too important. After he had crossed most of the branch was was ready to drop down, a travelers strider roared loudly, startling him and making him lose his balance. He fell, dropping the man along the way down to the ground.
Cervantos landed in the cobbled alleyway with a very audible thud. So was the fate of his cargo, the dead man. Cervantos knew someone had heard it. Quickly he grabbed ahold of the man and dragged him behind a building. A city guard came down the alley, looking for the cause of the noise. After what seemed an eternity, the guard turned around, seemingly unaware of his presense. However he heard the guard bark orders at his men, and he knew he had been found. He abandoned the body against his better judgement, and ran for cover in a safer part of the city.
Cervantos stopped in an alley about 3 doors down from the scene. He fixed up his hair and unruffled his shirt while calmly stepping out into the open like nothing happened. He strode down the street towards the alley where he had left the body, giving himself the look of a curious citizen.
He stopped at the head of the alley and looked to see what they were doing with the body. He recognized the guard that had called the orders, he was captain of the watch here in Giran. Cervantos was a well known thorn in his side. The captain, named Belarius, was holding up a piece of paper. Cervantos recognized it immediately. He fiddled in his pocket, but it was empty. He quickly started walking away, but Belarius saw him and gave chase.
Cervantos' heart was pumping furiously. He ran directly towards the north gate, which was straight down this street. However the guards we're posted there and sought to block his exit. Using his powerful legs and quick Dark Elven reflexes he turned quickly into a plaza to the right of the gate. He was nearly out of sight when an arrow punctured his left claf, instantly immobilizing him. Cervantos fell hard onto the stones, knocking himself unconscious...
Here we go, part three. It gets interesting now. =P
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A sharp stinging sensation. Something had stuck his cheek, Cervantos could feel it...barely. Again, the stinging sensation. It was more pronouced this time, it even forced a groan out of Cervantos' mouth. "There, he's awake. Go get the captain," mumbled a man that stood over Cervantos. Why was it bright in here? Why can't he move? Questions flooded his brain, driving him close to insanity when it all snapped in place.
"****it to Hell," Cervantos whispered. He could feel the cold shackles across his wrists and ankles. They were drenched in sweat, his sweat. He attempted to move his arms but they were too weak. "I must have been out a long time," he thought.
Cervantos turn his head slightly in the direction of one of the guards and spoke, "You mind pulling down a window? It's bloody hot in here."
The guard turned around, facing him. He was obviously none too happy to be speaking with Cervantos. "Look, I really don't know what you're getting at, but your small talk won't get you anywhere here, Dark Elf," the guard spat in Cervantos' face.
Cervantos retorted in a easy going voice, "Awww, come on... I know you're..."
"Quiet you!" The guard raised his hand to strike him but it was grabbed in mid air above his head.
"There won't be any of that, Greenwell. Why don't you get back to your post?" Belarius, the gaurd captain let go of Greenwell's hand.
"Yessir..." And Greenwell saluted and left. Belarius walked easily and in a very concieted manner around the table where Cervantos was shackled.
"I don't want you to speak, because that will get you in more trouble, you understand?" Belarius asked.
Cervantos nodded weakly, with a slightly curious look on his face. "You and I are both aware that you have done some terrible things to the good people of Aden... You've stolen, and you've assulted. Now we even have evidence of murder. And it doesn't stop there! Looks like we have enough to convict you! How splendid!" Belarius look genuinely pleased with himself.
He walked to the foot of the table that held Cervantos prisoner. Placing his hands on the corners of the table he stared deeply into Cervantos' eyes, "You are to be executed in two days time. If you ask me that's two days too long. But it's law, and as captain of the Giran city watch, I have to abide by these laws. I'll set a good example to the fair people of this town, and you'll be my example. I hope you enjoyed your short, pitiful life." He expression soured into displeasure. Belarius started to walk away, but turned around and laid a hand on Cervantos' shackled ankle, "I bet this table is mighty unconfortable. I'll see that you get a proper room to contemplate you last wish in. See you at the noose."
Belarius walked out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Cervantos to think deeply about what has happened, and what he plans on doing about it...
It's been almost a month, but I'm finally writing more! I hope I haven't lost a feel for this story... Enjoy!
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Cervantos sat in the gloom, staring at the empty space between his shackled feet. Not too far away the scraping sound of claws and the occasional sharp chirp of the rats echoed in Cervantos' cell and even down throughout the hollow dungeon. He was the only prisoner in this place. However, not too long ago another inmate graced the dungeon with a fresh breath of air.
The inmate's name was Brehn. He was a human, and a scruffy and forcefully beaten one at that. He told Cervantos about his days as a knight defender of the great castle at Gludio. He spoke of fine wines and roast lamb for dinner, of quiet outings in the courtyard in the afternoon, and bright mornings in the keep. All that came to a stop when the lord of Gludio was overthrown only a week ago by an ally of Giran's lord.
This once proud knight of Gludio named Brehn was now labeled as an outlaw. He had been running for his life for a week, but circumstance had caught up to him. He was taken out for trial shortly after he had told his tale. Cervantos may never see this man again.
All was quiet in the dungeon now. And that disturbed Cervantos. Not much good can come from total silence. He strained his ears, searching for something to signal danger, or relief. What he finally heard nearly brought tears to his eyes.
Metal scraped against metal and the soft cursing in a familiar voice echoed silently to the untrained ear in the cell. Above Cervantos' head and slightly to his right was a barred window. It suddenly disappear and in its place now moved a slim and agile figure. The form easily slipped through the small hole and down into Cervantos' cell. "Dear Einhasad I am **** glad I found your cell," the figure said, a bright smile etched its way across his face.
"Coyo! It's good to see you once again. Though I wish it was in less, hindering accomadations," Cervantos nearly breathed out in relief, "now do you think you could undo these **** shackles?"
"Oh, of course!" Coyo said as he fumbled with his lockpicks. Coyo was an Elf, but he had been raised by humans, and rowdy ones at that. He had lived in Rune most of his life, brought up around ale and liquors. He is a skilled Plains Walker, as the Elves call him, but his slight addiction to alcohol has made him less than graceful.
"There, got it," He spoke once again in his distictly human drawl.
"Thank you once again, Coyo," Cervantos slipped his hands and legs free from the shackles, "I hope you have an escape plan..."
The night guard slowly paced down the dirty dungeon hallway, casually inspecting the empty cells. This was a routine inspection, though he seemed a little distracted. He was eager to get back to the little elf girl in the house nearby... He was just about to reach the end of the hall and go back, but when he checked the third to last cell he was astonished to find a prisoner sitting inside.
"Hey! What are you doing in there? I thought they got rid of all the prisoners yesterday!" The guard spat. The prisoner, an ashen faced Dark Elf, didn't respond, or even look at the officer. He just stared at the space between his shackled feet. The guard thought back a moment and a thought struck him, "Oh, so you must be that assassin they've been looking for," the guard stepped closer to the cell door, putting his face in the small bar window, "they're just so excited to finally catch that elusive crimminal. You don't look so elusive to me, Cerva...!" He was cut off by some unnatural force; something cold and metallic.
Coyo sat under the window with his right arm in the air, and holding a small dagger through the small barred window and into the guards exposed throat. He slipped the dagger out silently and the guard slid to the floor with a quiet thud. Coyo replaced the dagger in it's dragon leather sheath and nodded to Cervantos.
Cervantos stood, removing the shackles from his wrists and ankles once again. He then walked silently on a crouch to the door and peeked out in both directions through the barred window. Coyo was already busy with the lock. "They must really think we don't know how to pick a lock," he said as the last tumbler fell, "cause that was easier than drinking a pint of stale ale."
Cervantos grabbed the handle of the door and slowly opened it, still looking out the barred window. As soon as he could, Coyo slid his head out the opening door to offer his eyes into the darkness as well. Coyo nodded, indicating the coast was clear, and eased his way out of the door and to the other side of the hall. Cervantos grabbed the fallen guard and dragged him to where the shackles lay. He then shackled the dead man and left the cell, crouched behind Coyo.
Both of them snuck quietly down the damp and dreary hallway until finally reaching the heavy steel door at the end. It was unlocked, so the door came open wihtout a fuss. Outside of the dungeon was a small room lit by a single candle. A door with the faint light of the moon exposed under it lay nearby. Their escape was secure.
Cervantos and his good friend Coyo darted off into the shadows of the great city of Giran to hide, and plan their next move.