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    Blackwhite1223

    Well-Known Member
    Despite the near pitch darkness, the three companions held their own against the Brotherhood soldiers. The knights proved to be a different matter. One of them held his own against Averaine, even managing to force the vampiric knight backwards. He could see the shorter form of Donath staggering about, possibly injured. The remaining knight turned towards Torin, and the ranger brought his blade up in a two handed guard position.

    The knight struck at the ranger. Torin parried the blow, wincing at the strength behind it. He ducked under the Brotherhood knights backhand, and slashed at the mans midsection. The knight parried it, and Torin grunted a curse. The man was both agile and capable of launching powerful attacks. Which was bad for the ranger. Torin was quick on his feet, but his armour consisted of a light chainmail shirt underneath his tunic. A single good hit would seriously injure or kill him.

    He did his best to dodge the heavy blows sent his way. He parried those lighter slashing blows, despite knowing full well they were meant to distract him and prevent him launching an attack of his own. He noticed a piece of debris behind the knight, and an idea came to him. He sprang forwards, grunting again as his shoulder struck the plate armour of his enemy. The knight cried out in surprise as he tripped over the debris behind him. Before the Brotherhood knight hit the ground, Torin put his sword through the mans throat. He cleaned the blade on his surcoat, then straightened as he heard movement ahead of them. Thinking that Brotherhood reinforcements were on their way, he readied his sword once more.

    However, it was Aliah and Shork, at the end of the tunnel. Relieved, Torin put a supporting hand under one of Donaths arms and made his way towards them, Averaine following behind. "Aliah, Shork. It's good to see you, though I'm curious as to what you're doing down here."
     

    Madrar

    The Shadow in the Dark.
    "A mage summons flames by channeling destruction magic, and concentrating heat into the palm of their hand. The intensity of the spell depends mostly on the power of the mage. A less powerful mage can cast fireballs and the like, but it's draining."

    Salthar, sitting across from her, nodded. "An answer almost directly from the textbook, but acceptable, I suppose." He glanced around the tavern noticing that many of their companions were absent. Lythare had taken one of the tables, and he'd seen Julius going up the stairs. Shadari was nowhere to be seen, and Shork and Aliah had departed some time ago.

    Though he could have released the young healer to see to her friend, he felt that they had at least a little time. "Since I believe it'd be beneficial to your education, ask me a question. Magic related, of course."
     

    Aethalia

    Well-Known Member
    Before Aliah or Shork could step forwards to join in the fighting, it was over. Though she didn't think she would have been much use anyways. She was still shaken from the...what? Specter? vision? Of the robed figure of her sister she'd seen. She peered in vain down the tunnel. The three victors of the fight, walked up to them. There was no one else, living, anyways, beyond them. "Aliah, Shork. It's good to see you, though I'm curious as to what you're doing down here." Torin said.

    "We..." She paused for a moment, collecting herself. "We were looking for you. It appears you found the Brotherhood soldiers." She took in the dead bodies on the ground. "And dealt with them.There were more further in the ratway, so I'm guessing this was their rearguard." She noticed Donath was bleeding, not heavily, but it looked like he was in pain. "We should leave, and have Donath's injuries seen to."

    She started to make her way back up the tunnel, then stopped, unable to go on without asking. "Did you...any of you see someone? Besides the Brotherhood soldiers, I mean. I thought I saw someone heading down here, but there's no sign of h- them." She corrected. What the others didn't know wouldn't hurt them. "Let's get out of here."
     

    Drahkma

    Dashing Imperial Officer.
    With the fight concluded, Averaine looked around, expecting brotherhood reinforcements at any moment. Bootsteps echoed on the curved wall, and the knight started to bring Goldbrand back into a guard position. A pair of people, who he quickly recognized as Aliah and Shork. He sheathed his sword, and approached Donath, who was limping slightly. He placed a gauntleted hand on the short Nord warriors shoulder, offering him some support. The wound didn't look especially dangerous, but it was certainly causing Donath pain.

    Torin met with the recent arrivals, and Averaine started making his way towards them, Donath in tow. He overheard Aliah saying that she and Shork had been searching for the three of them. She then asked if any of them had seen anyone besides the Brotherhood troops. "I saw no one, besides the soldiers. Though I admit, I didn't have much time to look around. Come, we should get back to the surface and inform the guard about what's happened." He took the lead, eyes open, searching for any surviving soldiers. They came across none.

    A short time later, the five of them were back in the Bee and Barb. Averaine helped Donath into a seat, and turned towards Aliah. "Aliah, when you were down there in ratway, it sounded like you might have known something about that person you were looking for. Is it something the rest of us should know?" He asked quietly.
     

    WindWalker

    Well-Known Member
    "Jules? Do you think I'm a good sister?" He propped himself up on his elbow. "What kind of question is that?" He said. "Of course you're a good sister. The best sister I know. Everyone sees how you treat Cilla." He heard movement and voices from downstairs. "Looks like the others are back. Come on." He swung his legs out from under the bedsheets and started to put his boots on.
     

    Aethalia

    Well-Known Member
    They made their way to back to the surface, and from there, to the inn. Aliah would have liked to retire to her room, and reflect on what, exactly, she'd seen. It seemed...unlikely to say the least that she'd actually seen her sister, but what other explanation could there be? She'd never been one to fall for illusion spells, even the more powerful types. "Aliah, when you were down there in ratway, it sounded like you might have known something about that person you were looking for. Is it something the rest of us should know?" Averaines' question, though softly spoken, startled her.

    She knew hiding things from her companions would do more harm than good, but she'd rather not have Averaine, or any of the others prying too much into her past. Salthar knew some of it, and Alice knew a little as well, but she'd never revealed everything. "No. Nothing." She nodded towards the injured Donath. "Look after him. He might nt be complaining, but we can't risk him being too injured to travel."

    She spotted Salthar, sitting with Elizabeth, and made her way to them. "Elizabeth. You should get some rest." The young Imperial woman took the hint and abandoned her chair. The Altmer sorcerer met her eyes as she shot across from him. " What is it?" Aliah opened her mouth, hesitated, then blurted it out. " I think I saw my sister down there. In the ratway."
    He shifted in his seat, and though his expression barely shifted, it was clear she'd surprised him."Go on..."

    "After I'd fed, I- thought I heard my name. When I looked around, I saw someone heading to the ratway." She glanced over at Shork. "He followed me down, and we fought with the brotherhood. I'm sure I saw her again. I was distracted, but I don't think he noticed."

    Salthar looked skeptical. "Are you sure?" He asked, "you hadn't fed in quite a while, and during battle, some things may appear different than what they are, especially-" Aliahs' fist slammed on the table top. "I wasn't seeing things." She hissed. "I know what I saw. I also know you have spies all over. What I'm asking is this: find out when Senya got back from Alinor, and where she is now...please."

    Salthar appeared to think for a few seconds, before nodding. "I can do that. I'll return to you with news as soon as I can." He stood and headed for the doors. Aliah sighed, and laid her hands flat on the table. It was a struggle to remain calm, but she knew it could take Salthar hours, or even days before he heard news of Senya.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    "Yeah. I suppose you're right." Alice said. Julius swung his legs out from the bed and started pulling his boots on. It sounded from downstairs like the others were back. Aliah was probably among them and if she didn't have some Brotherhood plot to report on she might at least want to talk. Alice decided that she should get up too and see what was going on. All she was doing now is having doubts about herself because she was dwelling about the day they met Shork in Whiterun. It wasn't good to dwell on it since it had been sorted out and to question her commitment to her own sister was ridiculous. Alice knew that, which is why she was frustrated with herself for feeling differently. She got up with Julius but left Cilla where she was. She was still asleep. "I just...well...I keep thinking about how I just unloaded on her back in Whiterun because I was in a panic. It was irresponsible and wrong and I never want to do it again."

    "Alice, why are you being so hard on yourself?" Cilla mumbed from her cocoon of blankets. She turned on her back to face her sister and opened her eyes, starting to wake up. "I was stupid, Torin stopped me and you told me to never, ever do it again. That's as far is it went and it's as far as it needed to go. You and I still love each other and you're not a bad sister. You know that."

    Alice couldn't help but chuckle and smile at her little sister's very direct response. It was like something their dad or Carlotta would and did say and it was funny just how blunt Cilla could be. And she was right. "Well if you said it then I guess that settles it. We're gonna go downstairs and see who's here. You okay with staying here by yourself?"

    "Actually I think I'd like to come down with you guys. I don't really wanna be alone right now."

    "Do you want me to stay with you?"

    "No. I wanna go downstairs. I'm hungry."

    "Okay then. Let's get dressed and head downstairs. We'll head back up when you get tired okay?"

    "Mhmm. Let's go."

    Both girls got dressed and headed down the hallway when they ran into Elizabeth. Apparently she had gotten the same idea they had and was up here to get some rest. Cilla got to her first and hugged her around the waist.

    "Hi." She said.

    "Hey Elizabeth." Alice said with a smile. "Cilla and I just got up from a short nap and were gonna find something to eat. Who's downstairs?"
     

    Baneloth

    Well-Known Member
    Donath grumbled at Torin as the ranger supported him. The wound wasn't particularly dangerous or crippling, but damn did it sting. That was always the problem with wounds like his. Not painful enough to cripple, not serious enough to require immediate attention, but still could get infected. Especially in a place like this. They made their way to back to the Bee and Barb, around nightfall. They got inside, and Torin dumped him in a chair. Donath grunted his thanks and removed a roll of bandages from his pack and set about wrapping his leg in cloth. "Oy! Barmaid!" He gestured her over. "Bring me a mug o' ale, and keep it comin'!" As far as he was concerned, the best thing to do after a battle was drink. The more, the better.
     

    T. Rakinson

    A Brute among Beasts
    After the skirmish was concluded and no brotherhood reinforcements appeared to avenge their comrades, the Orc and Altmer reunited with the group. Shork's temporary companion began to explain why they had come down here. In truth, he hadn't thought about it much, having absent-mindedly followed Aliah into the Ratway. The mercenary had initially concluded that she had been after the brotherhood forces, but he now realised that she could not have known about them. Now he took her word that she had simply been looking for the others. She began to ask if the other party had seen anybody in the Ratway, but quickly dropped the conversation.

    Averaine began to lead their combined groups out of the darkened tunnels. Shork thought of trying to support Donath, but Torin came to his aid quicker, and so the Orc resigned to stay as the torchbearer, providing the three mortal companions with light for the rest of their underground journey. Once they reached the surface, he clumsily threw it into the lake, narrowly missing a wooden boat. As the rest of the group began to head back to the Bee and Barb tavern, Shork turned to look at the Ratway entrance one last time, expecting more brotherhood soliders to come randomly bursting out of the door. Once confident that they were not being pursued, he sauntered off to rejoin the group.

    As they arrived in the tavern, Shork witnessed a brief discussion between the two vampires he had fought with in the Ratway. Aliah remained quiet when asked about her motivations, and quickly departed to go and talk to Salthar. He gave Averaine a brief nod of support, then sat down in a chair next to Donath, who had already got to work with a roll of bandages. The Nord had his teeth clenched, and called for some drinks. Shork briefly considered copying his action, but a sudden sickly feeling in his stomach cut off his request.

    Feeling sympathy for his fellow warrior, for he had sustained several painful injuries in his own lifetime, Shork threw a handful of septims in front of him. The feeling in his stomach dispersed, and he suddenly felt cheerful about the evening. When Donath saw the money, the Orc spoke up in a merry tone. "Drink up, brave warrior! For the city is now safe from our foes. You've earned your ale".
     

    willowwisp

    Well-Known Member
    Elizabeth left the table without complaint. She had questions for Salthar, but they could wait, and besides, Aliah didn't look like she was going to take no for an answer. So she made her way towards the upstairs and the room she'd rented. On the way up, she ran into Alice and Cilla who were making their way back down the stairs. Alice greeted her, but the younger Psyrakon stayed quiet. Maybe because she had nothing to say, or maybe because she was still traumatized by what she'd seen. "Most of the others are back now. I still don't know where Shadari's gotten to. I'm off to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

    Her room was at the end of the hallway, and looked out over the marketplace. Since it was now nightfall their was no movement outside besides the guards patrolling around. She shot a glance at the starry sky, sighed, and turned to her bed. They might have had another day in Riften, but Elizabeth was determined to get as much rest as possible. She had a feeling she would need her strength once they passed further into the north.
     

    Baneloth

    Well-Known Member
    "Aye!" Donath said, grinning and lifting his mug in a toast to the Orc. He was three tankards in, and feeling rather more cheerful about the whole situation. There was still the little voice in the back of his mind that told him there was still danger out there. He bludgeoned it down with his next gulp of ale. He spied Torin, the reserved ranger, as usual, in the corner. "Torin, lad, get yer arse over here!" He flagged down a passing server. "A round of drinks for the ranger who hauled me arse outta the Ratway!" Well, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration. But both the ranger and Averaine had stood by him, and that meant something. Even if he would have been able to hold his own against the rest of the Brotherhood soldiers.
     

    Blackwhite1223

    Well-Known Member
    Torin had taken his seat and left Donath to tend to his wounds, intending to spend the rest of the night in quiet reflection. That was until, Donath spotted him, called him over, and ordered a round of drinks for him. Before he could politely decline, a crowd of Nord patrons, cheering, hauled him over to Donaths' table. A foaming mug of ale was slammed down in front of him. The crowd watched him expectantly. "To your good health, my friend." He announced, before taking a sip. Satisfied that he'd honoured tradition by accepting the drink, the observers dispersed, back to their own tables.
     

    TheShadedOne

    The Angry One
    Shadari spent most of the day wandering the city. When she got tired of that, and when it started to get dark, she headed inside the inn. Most of the others were in the common room, getting something to eat or just talking. She noticed Torin and Donath talking at one of the tablles. She joined them, pulling out a chair for herself. "Did I miss anything interesting while I was gone?"
     

    Baneloth

    Well-Known Member
    Donath chuckled as the Torin was brought over by a crowd of Nords and given a foaming mug of ale. The ranger lifted it in a toast, before taking a sip. "You're alright, lad. Even if ye keep to the background most of the time." Shadari came in, and took a seat, asking what she'd missed. "What'd ye miss!?" He exclaimed. "Only a fight in the damned Ratway, lass." He glanced at his nearly empty mug, and sighed. Then an idea occurred to him. "Hey. I got an idea. Let's play a drinkin' game. Celebrate bein' alive, an' all that." He looked between the assassin and the ranger. "So, what d'ya say?"
     

    Blackwhite1223

    Well-Known Member
    Torin smiled and nodded at Shadari as she took her seat beside him. His smile grew even more at Donaths' praise. Though he needed no acknowledgement, he appreciated the others friendship. The path of the ranger was seldomly one that included much friends. Those that Torin had met, he'd usually only spent hours, at the most, guiding them back to well traveled roads, or shelter. And then he'd disappeared, back into the wilds. "Ah, I think I've enough to drink. Enjoy the rest of your night, my friends." With that, the ranger finished his drink and left the others, heading back to his shadowy corner. There, he put his boots up on the chair across from him, leaned back, and lit his pipe.
     

    TheShadedOne

    The Angry One
    It was surprising to hear about a fight in the ratway, but considering that they'd got into a fight with brotherhood scouts, it wasn't shocking. Especially since they'd been so close to Riften when it had happened. Donath suggested a drinking game, something to celebrate the group still being among the living. Torin declined, unsurprisingly, and retreated to a corner of the room. The Argonian bartender must have overheard them. He'd come over to their table and was keeping a close eye on them. "Sure, I'm up for a game. What are the rules?"

    The bartender was at the table now. "Rules are simple. No pauses, no sipping and no regurgitation. Last one standing wins." He thumped a mug down in front of her and one in front of Donath. "Good luck." Shadari grinned at the Nord, and picked up her mug, downing the contents in one long gulp. She set it down, and stared at her opponent. "Your turn."
     

    Baneloth

    Well-Known Member
    The night wore on, and the two contestants spent most of it drinking. Donath was surprise that the Khajiit woman was keeping up with him. He'd drunk plenty of burly Nords under the table, both in his time in the army, and after. He'd guessed she'd be out of the game after the first three tankards. But now, they were ten drinks in, and she was still matching him drink for drink. The assassin was full of surprises. Growling, he reached for another drink and quaffed it back. He slammed it down on the table, and stared at the woman. She managed another drink, ,though he thought he spotted a slight hesitation in her motions. Triumphant, he pointed

    "Ha!" He bellowed. "I knew it she can't hold 'er liquor!" Then the Nord warriors eyes rolled up into his skull, and he flopped over backwards, snoring almost immediately. Those few that had stuck around to watch the outcome, cheered and laughed, before heading to their rooms, or went outside to get home. Eventually, a pair of Nords, under the Argonian owners direction, had Donath dragged up to his room, and dumped on the bed.
     

    Stormmaiden

    Active Member
    Lythare didn't stay inside for long. The place was crowded and stank of ale, both fresh and stale. After Donath collapsed after proclaiming his victory, she went up the stairs. Over the years, improvements had been made to the Bee and Barb inn. Included in these upgrades was a balcony on the second floor, that encircled it. She stepped outside, and looked out over the city. She didn't doubt that, with the canal flowing through it, the city had once been beautiful. Now though, it was a hub of criminal activity, and she could smell the filth in the sluggishly moving waterway. She heard a soft noise from above her, and glanced up to see Aethos regarding her, head cocked to one side. "Come on down, my friend." The bird obliged, and dropped down to the railing. She stroked the side of his head, and maintained her post outside.
     

    Blackwhite1223

    Well-Known Member
    Torin chuckled as Donath toppled off his chair, landing with a rather loud crash. He could have predicted the outcome. With the driven Khajiit woman, and the ale loving Nord, any such competition was likely to end the same way. He blew a small cloud of smoke into the air, and glanced towards the stairs, as movement there caught his eye. Lythare was discretely making her way up the stairs, and he could guess why. Like Torin, she was a ranger. The crowded inn and sounds of revelry didn't make either of them feel at ease. Assuming she was headed to the recently built balcony, he followed. It didn't take him long, once outside, to come across the elven woman. She was looking out over the city, her loyal bird of prey companion perched on the railing. "You didn't want to stay downstairs with the others?" He asked, though the ranger suspected his question was unnecessary. He took a position beside her, and gazed out over Riften, awaiting her response.
     

    Stormmaiden

    Active Member
    Lythare cocked her head to the side when she heard the door leading outside open. Torin stopped beside her and leaned on the railing. "You didn't want to stay downstairs with the others?" He asked. She shrugged. " No. It's just...I don't see how they can be enjoying themselves when we have such a journey up ahead. We should be preparing" She sighed. "Maybe it's just me. Or this city, getting to me." She returned to looking out over the city. "I'm surprised the Brotherhood hasn't sent more men to try to take the city by force. Holding Riftens' ports could bring them a lot of coin."
     

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