(Archive) Azrubel Chronicles Part 7: In the Market

[Galdorim(#22020)] The star shine brightly overhead as Minas Tirith slumbers. No lights can be seen in the marketsqure as the merchants slumber and dream on gold. Then ringing out in the dead of night is the sound of breaking glass.

Krisorn walking the streets, his footsteps quiet on the cobbles as he marches his patrol, strangely enough alone. The sudden sound of glass surprises him as he looks around the market place quickly, trying to pinpoint the sound. He also searches for others of the guards as he quietly brings his shield around into his hand. He leaves his axe at his side, and cautiously creeps, looking for the source of the broken glass and listening for any further sounds.

[Doloran(#7634)] Walking between the buildings while staring at the clear night above him, the young man dresses with the Silver Ship company livery looks more like a visitor than a guard on duty. The sudden sound of broken glass pulls him out of his dreaming state. Noticing the presence of another guard in the area, he walks carefully to him and relaxes as he recognizes him \"Krisorn! I\'m glad to see you here. What was that sound? What happened, you\'ve seen something?\"

Rowen walks gently under the dark sky of night, his eyes lifted to look at the stars over the city, glittering like the jewels of old. Despite the sword at his side, and the armour geared about him, he still looks youthful as he walks, maybe thinking about more freindly times. He stops suddenly as he sees two dark figures in the square ahead of him. His hand goes to his sword and he walks closer, having not heard the sound of the breaking glass.

[Galdorim(#22020)] The tinkle of glass is hear again and the sound of muzzled curses. It sounds as it it were coming near or from the winery.

Krisorn looks over at the young Doloran and smiles slightly, motioning for silence. The voices and sound of glass sounds again and Krisorn motions towards the winery. His voice is quiet as he speaks, \"Be prepared for trouble because we may have found it. Keep your eyes open and your voice quiet Doloran.\" Krisorn moves quickly towards the winery looking around for other guardsmen as he loosens his axe.

Rowen steps foreward into the square, trying to not make himself obvious as he walks toward the two figures. He blinks, then recognizes the uniform of the guard on both men. Rowen smiles quietly, but remains silent as he hears one of the men speak of trouble. He steps up beside the man and hisses, \"What trouble is this, freind?\"

[Galdorim(#22020)] A Showdow of a tall figure passes by a front window to the winery.

[Doloran(#7634)] As he follows Krisorn as silently as he can, the young private Doloran begins to breathe heavily, taking quick glances all around him. Stoping on Krisorn\'s side, he whispers to him \"You are sure we should stay here? It might be a private affair, it doesn\'t look that bad to me. It\'s common to hear glasses sound out from a winery, you know.\" Throwing another glance around the market place, he looks nervous and he doesn\'t seem to know what to do with his arms, but he stands still, awaiting for Krisorn to do or say something.

Krisorn turns quickly at the sound of Rowen\'s voice, his axe halfway out and in his hand before he realizes that Rowen is another guardsman. \"Careful there, you startled me. It looks like we might have some burglars over at the winery. You two watch the alley\'s beside it. I just noticed a figure by the front window. I\'m going to go towards the front door. If you notice anything untoward signal for me. Let\'s move lad\'s. Strange happenings are afoot in the city these days. Look for broken glass.\" So spoken Krisorn moves towards the front door of the winery, his axe out in case of trouble, though he holds it towards the head and keeps the blade facing him. His eyes scan the windows and door for signs of damage.

[Galdorim(#22020)] A faint light comes on in the winery like if it were from a small candle and Then it goes out suddenly. A muffled cry of pain comes from the winery as the light goes out.

Rowen nods silently and ducks away from Krisorn toward the alley, his hand tightening on the grip of his sword as if any vile foe could leap out of the shadows at any given time. He starts as he hears the cry of pain and mutters toward the others, \"Did you just hear that? A citizen may be in danger.\" He begins to turn away from the alley, and toward the shop.

Doloran unsheathes his sword as he nods to Krisorn. Turning to Rowen, he whipers, \"Lead the way, Rowen. I will cover your back while you take a look at the alley.\" When he sees Rowen coming back quickly and moves toward the winery, he follows him and moves near the window. \"You might be right, the light is gone! Something is happening in there. Is there any other way in than the front door?\", he asks nervously to the others.

Krisorn takes stock of building front quickly and then sighs. He quickly tries the front door, trying to see if the door is locked and waving for the other two to be ready.

Doloran walks cautiously to Krisorn\'s right side, keeping an eye at the window. He takes a deep breath and prepares himself to follow the other two guards.

[Galdorim(#22020)] The door is not locked as the woodman-guard checked the door. A soft thud can be heard in the winery as the guards near the door.

Rowen draws his own blade now, casting only a quick glance down the alley in the faint light of day that spreads ever so slowly over Gondor. The alley is still cloaked in shadows, making it difficult to see anything in it. He turns his attention to the door and whispers, \"Should we make us known to whoever is in there?\"

Krisorn pulls the door open and with the last whispered words, \"Make sure nobody leaves by the alleyway lads. I\'ll take this way.\" He walks into the winery, his shield in front of him as he calls out in a deep voice, \"This is the guard. Speak up within and show yourself.\" Krisorn\'s eyes peer into the gloom trying to make out shapes in the darkened winery.

[Doloran(#7634)] Trying to stay calm, Doloran nods to Krisorn as he begins to open the door. Staying right beside him, he raises his sword while he turns his head to keeps an eye at the alley.

[Galdorim(#22020)] As Krisorn in silotetted in the doorway, a dagger inbeds itself in the doorframe next to the guard\'s head. From the glow of the lanerns on the street, one could see the dagger is frshly coated with blood. THe ring od a blade being draw from a scabbard is quickly heard. A Deep voice calls out. \"Daorian, Run for it!\"

Rowen nods at the words of Krisorn, and takes a step back toward the alley way, his eyes searcing the darkness like the eyes of a cat. He holds his blade by his side, still not raised in a hostile manner. He takes a deep breath, and waits to see if a answer will come to the words of Krisorn..

[Galdorim(#22020)] Inside the winey is dim, but the light from the lanerns outside light it somewhat. There is a body slumped upon the floor with a dark pool growing around the figure\'s head. Standing above that prone figure is another, It appears he has a swor din hand as well as a shield, and a winged helmet?!

Krisorn swears as he sees the figure standing within and he steps forward quickly, his axe at ready and says, \"Throw down your weapons and surrender. We have this building covered. And do it quickly else you\'ll be disarmed forcibly.\" Krisorn\'s face is a mirror of calm, though his eyes betray a barely held back rage and his voice mirrors that rage, \"Rowen, Doloran, nobody is to leave the building or the grounds,\" he adds waiting to see what happens here.

Rowen nods a silent reply to Krisorn, and walks into the darkness of the alley, his eyes intent on the stone wall, his free hand groping along the stone, feeling for a door, or anything that would grant exit from the wine shop. He turns his head to Doloran, and motians him around the the other side of the shop. In the darkness, nobody can see the look of fear that has begun to creep onto Rowen\'s face.

[Galdorim(#22020)] \"Surrender? To the likes of you. I know you are just measly conscript, woodsman!\" The figure leaps over the prone body as he comes towards Krisorn with his sword in hand. \"Get out of my way or you will end up like her!\"

[Doloran(#7634)] As he hears the voice of Krisorn, Doloran shouts in a trembling voice, \"What\'s happening there?\" Beginning to follow Rowen sign, he suddenly turns and rushes into the winery, not waiting any further orders. Doing so, he almost hits Krisorn. Slowly getting used to the dim light, he suddenly bears a disgusted expression, \"What... what...?\" That\'s all that can come out of his lips.

Krisorn smiles softly, his face twisting with a grin as feral as a wolves, \"Come fool. Conscript I may be but I swear before all the Valar that I\'ll bring you before justice, dead or alive. Fight and you only make it all the sweeter scum.\" Krisorn takes two steps forward, stalking this swordsman and his only concession to even the existence of the other guardsmen is to say, \'Stay out of my way lads. This one\'s mine.\"

Rowen hears the muffled sounds from within the wine shop, and begins to turn to run back and aid Krisorn, when his eye catches on the gaping side door. Rowen cuirses and lunges toward it, his eyes peering into the darkness beyond it..

[Galdorim(#22020)] The figure comes withinstriking distance of the conscripted woodsman. The light from outside shines upon his body as the uniform of a Minas Tirith guard can be see. His sword quickly makes a skilled strike towards Krisorn\'s side. \"You idealistic fool! Get out of my way before I send you to your Valors!\"

In the alley, not a sound can be hear amongst the crates and boxes. There is no one in the doorway what Rowen is peering through.

[Doloran(#7634)] Petrified as a stone, looks at the scene staying behind Krisorn\'s back. When he sees Krisorn stepping forward, he tries to do something in his fear and shout quickly, \"This fool has no chance, Krisorn. Don\'t even scratch your axe on him, more than five of us have already took place around the building.\"

Krisorn smiles softly as his shield drops down to stop the proffered sword strike. His own axe comes around from behind him in an overhand swing, though the arc is greatly reduced to avoid the buildings ceiling. \"Idealistic, yes but your the fool and the traitor. Hope that your victim there lives still you pus filled miscreant.\" Krisorn steps in towards his opponent as he continues his fight with this foe, trying, if nothing else to get a look at who he fights.

Rowen moves foreward down the darkened alley, scouring around every fallen box, looking for anyone that might be hiding in the dark of the alleyway. He pushes aside a empty box with his booted foot, revealing only a rat that runs skittering off in the other direction. Rowen curces and glances back toward where he can hear the sounds of a scuffle.

[Shandor(#27214)] Ever so slowly, the razed and torn form of Shandor moves past the weathered buildings. He looks sadly to the escapade going on against the murderer and sighs. His hand absently rests on the hilt of his blade, but he makes no move towards the building, instead choosing to stand a distance from it and examine.

[Galdorim(#22020)] The sound of metal striking can be heard inside the winery as Krisorn\'s blade is parried by the sword of the traitorous guard. They are face to face as his face is visable. He is a MAA from the White Tree Company by the name of Zistiran. The knee of this guard comes up towards krisorn\'s midsection as he attempts to push him back into Doloran. He laughs slightly. \"Likely decoy. I know there is but a few number of you out there!\"

As Rowen turns his head to the sound of action a glint of flashing metal might be seen as a dagger is hurled towards the meaty thigh of the young guard.

Krisorn turns slightly, his thigh taking the brunt of the attempted knee, his time learning close in fighting coming to the fore as he takes the blow. With a snarl Krisorn snaps out his fist, holding the axe, attempting to bludgeon his foe\'s face with the stout wooden shaft.

Rowen begins to stride in the direction of the skirmish, when a sudden pain explodes through his leg like fire. Rowen grits his teeth and tried to avoid falling as he turns toward his attacker and shouts out toward any of the guard who can hear him, \"There is another villan back here, I am hurt.\" He looks down at the dagger in his leg, then stumbles toward where the dagger came from, his sword gripped in his hand, \"Reveal yourself and surrender!\"

Doloran takes a few step behind, pushed away by the man\'s manoeuver. Raising his sword and pointing it in the stranger\'s direction, he tries to control his trembling hand as he turns his head to the door and begins to shout, \"Rowen, tell the others to guard the side door, and stay where you are!\" He then turns back to the action, preparing himself to step in at a sign of Krisorn.

[Shandor(#27214)] \"A foolish move,\" Shandor whispers quietly, sighing, hobbling towards Rowen\'s position, but still many yards from him.

[Galdorim(#22020)] A grunt of pain emite from the large guard\'s face as the woodsman\'s fist smites his bridged nose. A small trikle of blood comes from one nostril as he sees the other shakey blade of Doloran. He chukles with some amusement as his blade flashes down low and snaps up towards Krisorn\'s thigh. \"Go away.\" He says to Doloran. \"You it\'s too late for boys to be out playing guard!\"

Coming out of the alley towards the injured Rowen is an other young guardsman. He does not looks as confident as his friend, and hesitates as he sees the gruesome figure of Shandor come next to the injured guardsman.

Krisorn is too close to the other guardsman as the sword bites down into his leg and Krisorn grunts as the blade penetrates his armor. The bite, while not too deep, does seem to slow Krisorn. \"Doloran, help Rowen and get the other one. This scum is mine. I\'ll deal with his hide.\" Krisorn takes the oppurtunity given to him by his opponent\'s sword being trapped against his leg to try and drop the axe\'s head on his foes unprotected shoulder.

Rowen grips his blade in both hands, a faint smile growing over his face that is lined with panic, He takes a deep breath to steady himself, thinming back to the courage he summoned in the face of the warrior of Harad, \"Lay down any weapons that you have or I will be forced to disarm you.\" He curses as another stab of pain shoots up his leg.

[Doloran(#7634)] Hearing Krisorn\'s words, Doloran hesitates before he even thinks to move, as someone who doesn\'t seems to know what to do. \"We\'ll be right back! Tell this guy the boy will be back for him\", he finaly says as he rushes through the door and runs to find Rowen.

[<#27214>] Shandor finally approaches within seven yards of Rowen. He himself, stand unarmed, as he whispers hoarsly to Rowen, \"..., ... ... ... think ... has ... ...? ... ... ... get ....\"

[Galdorim(#22020)] Zistiran turns his body as THe axe of Krisorn slices through the leather armor leaving a deep gash. A groan of pain comes from the big brigand\'s mouth as he thrust his foot out towards the back of Krisorn\'s knee. His shield pushes towards his opponent as if he was trying to make Krisorn tumble to the ground.

The young guardsman facing Rowen and Shandor takes a step back as he hears the cries that another is about to come after him. He retreats back and pushes some boxes to make them tumble behind to to block presuit.

Krisorn swears as his knee gives way under the shove and only dropping his shield and grabbing for his opponent allows Krisorn any chance of avoiding, or at least mitigating the fall he is about to take. He carefully keeps his axe between his oppoenent and him as he tries to pull the other down with him.

Rowen lunges after the man, trying to note everything about the look of the man as he follows him. he curses as a box rolls under his fieet, bringing him hard t othe ground. He pushes himself back to his feet, gritting his teeth against the pain in his leg, and calls out, \"Hold where you are! You will be killed if you continue to run.\" He then calls back to Shandor, loud enough for the man to hear, \"We have more guards closing in down the alley, his only way out is through us.\"

Shandor grunts, holding his position at the end of the street.

[Doloran(#7634)] Without any precautions, Doloran turns the corner of the Wineshop and runs down the alleyside to the side door. Hearing noise, he rushes in, hitting boxes on his way, calling to Rowen, \"I\'m on you back Rowen, I\'m coming, you are allright?\", he shouts, still trying to make his way between the boxes.

[Galdorim(#22020)] Zistiran allows Krisorn to grab at his shield. He releases it as he moves to the open door that Doloaran left him. He call back with a hearty laugh. \"You will now have to face your officer on how I got away!\" He then moves to make a dash out and away.

THe young guard can now be seen trying to scale a wall to get on the roofs of the buildings within the market square. He tries to kicks down the boxes that he climbed to slowl down his persuers.

Rowen drops to one knee and curses, he turns to Doloran and hisses, \"My leg is slashed, get him for me.\" He points toward the guard trying to get opver the wall. \"Make sure he does not escape.\"

Krisorn falls backwards as he goes, but he\'s not out of it completely. The long reach of his woodsman axe serves him well as he swings it along in an arc across the floor at Zistiran\'s legs, the blade humming as he brings his second hand onto the haft and swings with all his might, a grunt escaping him as he wields the axe from such a strange position.

Doloran runs to the escaper as fast as he can, but as he reaches the scale and begins to climb it, a box throwned by the young guard hits him and makes him fall down. Doloran\'s head strikes the ground loudly and everything suddenly begins to turn black around him.

Shandor shakes his head as the two guards are defeated. He begins to limp towards the two fallen guards to aid if he can.

Zistiran though deftly avoids the cut, only the sole of his boot being caught on the axe\'s blade before he dashes off into the night with a scornful laugh.