Not Quite Safe

==============================================================================

| Yfelwydan Time (YST) |

==============================================================================

** Real time is: Mon May 17 17:01:59 2010, GMT -8 **

Elendor time is: Midnight on a Rainy Trewsday, Day 14 of December 3049.

Note: It\'s nighttime out, so it\'s safe to wander outside.

==============================================================================

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

Midnight has fallen, and the shadows hang thick about naked boughs and gnarled trunks. It is cold and damp. A steady rain plummets down from the heavens, playing out a sad rhythm as it strikes logs and dirt.

It is upon one of these drenched logs deeper in the forest that a tall black form sits. Two other large orcs stand nearby, peering over the seated one\'s shoulders as he points to the trunk of a tree that is directly in front. With a sharp stone, this figure, Shaaknar, scratches out a series of shapes and lines into the bark. It is a garbled mess, but surely it means something? Battle plans, perhaps?

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

War rooms must be chosen wisely. For accompanying the sad sound of the rain is the soft pat of elven feet. It comes a little closer, then slips into silence. In the bushes is a cloaked figure, bright-eyed, brown tresses brushed away from the withered twigs and tendrils.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

The rough sounds of the rock against the wood continue -- any whisperings at all of elven feet are lost therein -- but it halts as one of to pair observing gives a grunt. \"Wait,\" he says, dirty scarred face turning into a frown. \"That doesn\'t make sense. The stupid ditch is there, in the way.\" The second uruk-hai snorts in agreement.

Shaaknar snarls as the flaw is pointed out, and he violently scratches a whole section of the diagram out. Large pieces of bark fall to the ground. \"If you think you can do better, then here.\" He shoves the stone into the hands of the first, and stands stiffly. He moves a little bit away as the other orc takes his spot, and Shaaknar stares unhappily into the foliage. One claw rubs at a heavily bandaged midsection.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

The glitter of elven-eyes flickers as it is stared at, then shrinks away a little perhaps the rustle is not lost in the rain this time? Nurenhir presses close to a tree, listening closely to the grumbled conversation.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

Rain drips off the tip of Shaaknar\'s nose. He sniffs, and promptly sneezes, supplying a sharp hissing as the motion irritates the injured sides. The uruk-hai gives another sniff, going to turn back around, but he frowns. Pausing, the orc peers into that yonder undergrowth a little more intensely, unpleasant red eyes flickering here and there. \"Something..stinks,\" he concludes, whispering to himself. A glance behind shows the pair have are too occupied to have noticed anything yet. Shaaknar takes a slow pace forward toward the rustling, and he puts a hand on the hilt of a weapon.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Behind the tree, the rustling grows softer, and then moves away from the clearing. Nurenhir winces at the sound, yet as he backs away stealthily, a dagger is drawn from within the dark folds of cloth.

[Combat(#13388)] Nurenhir wields a dagger.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

\"Eh, where you slipping off to?\" asks the scarred orc who has busied himself with correcting the plans on the trunk.

\"Heard something,\" replies Shaaknar curtly, creeping off further into the foliage and away from the logs and the clearing. \"Probably just some stupid beast again..\"

\"Well, bring it back then,\" the third orc calls, this one a squat she-hai. She licks her mouth as she remains behind with the stone-holding male. \"Been a while since we had something good to eat.\" Shaaknar is silent, however as he disappears from his companions\' sight and range of hearing. Fingers curl about the hilt, and the short broaded blade is drawn. The creature glances suspiciously from side to side.

COMBAT - Wielded: Short Broadsword

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

The delicacy in question retreats further into the night, rain dripping from the small blade. Finally he pauses behind a tree trunk, waiting for the following uruk-hai to pass nearby. Nurenhir peers around the rough-faced bark, tense and poised to strike.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

The brush and other winter-dead growth has gotten denser and thicker as the searching orc follows, and Shaaknar bats his sword to whack a few of the stray branches aside. \"Where are you, trespasser?\" the uruk-hai growls into the rain and the dark. \"I smell you...you shall not get away.\" His path takes his nigh the steward\'s hiding spot, and the orc stumbles on a twisted root as he passes.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

\"Here,\" the steward hisses through steadied teeth. As the orc stumbles by, Nurenhir darts out in a blur of brown and black.

Rain-drenched, his arm flashes down towards Shaaknar\'s shoulders, the gleaming dagger seeking injured orcish flesh.

Nurenhir attacks you with his Dagger!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

ARB: You\'ve been injured for 4 hp\'s by Nurenhir\'s attack...

...you have 81 left. Please RP this injury accordingly.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

A growl is the initial reply, which only doubles in volume and hatred as the Elf\'s dagger meets to adds further offense to the creature\'s wounds. Shaaknar wrenches himself in a twist around, swiping wilding out with the orc-sword as he does so. \"Why are you here, worm? Spying?\"

You attack Nurenhir with your Short Broadsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

Nurenhir dodges your attack.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

The elf smiles, pulling gently away from the arc of the sword. \"You seem to be having some difficulty with your plans,\" Nurenhir says, twisting for another probe at the injured side. \"Could it be that you have not yet given up?\"

Nurenhir attacks you with his Dagger!...

...and he misses!

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

Now that he is facing the attacker, Shaaknar pulls his lips back in a snarl as he sidesteps the flashing knife. \"We are the Fighting Uruk-hai!\" he thumps his leather-covered chest proudly, but then grimaces as it causes pain. \"Takes more than pesky determined villagers to drive us away. Same for wretched meddling appetizers.\" The orc thrusts his arm forward again, seeking to drive steel into flesh.

You attack Nurenhir with your Short Broadsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

Your attack against Nurenhir badly wounds him!

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Indeed the broadsword finds flesh, sinking between the elf\'s collarbone and shoulder. Nurenhir backpedals into the bushes, gritting through clenched teeth, \"It does not change that you are annoying, and they will do all they can to keep you away from there. Will you not learn?\"

ARB: Nurenhir has \"passed\" on his turn to attack.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

The creature circles slowly, keeping a glare fixated upon those bushes as he paces around them. The broadsword he clasps at his side, fingers twitching slightly on the hilt although he does not try to strike with it again. \"Ha, could say the same of you.\" Shaaknar retorts. \"Annoying...and clearly your ilk don\'t learn either. Had past trouble with some stupid leaf-ear before we assaulted the town. Thought they had all gone at last, since we didn\'t see any during the attack.\"

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

You forego your chance to attack.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

\"So once you thought we had left,\" Nurenhir says irritatedly, tugging on the hem of his cloak that has snagged on the twigs, \"you assaulted them. Still, we have returned, and you will find things difficult.\" Grey-complexioned, the elf hurls the dagger at the uruk-hai, amid his struggling.

[Combat(#13388)] Nurenhir throws a dagger...

Nurenhir removes Dagger.

Ow! You\'ve been injured for 2 hp\'s by the dagger-throw.

ARB: Please RP this injury accordingly.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

\"Difficult,\" the orc spits in echo, sneering. There is the glint of metal through the gloom, and Shaaknar jerks his arm away but the flying dagger is the swifter, and it rends a tear through armor and skin. \"Then we\'ll drive you out again. Cutting you all down suits me fine as well.\" He grins a mouthful of stained fangs, kicking the dagger to the side. \"Start with you, perhaps.\"

The Isengarder darts ahead orc-blade plunges forward into the bush.

You attack Nurenhir with your Short Broadsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

Nurenhir dodges your attack.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Nurenhir frowns at the grasping branches, gaze wavering a moment towards the broad blade. He dodges, hoping that the orc\'s attack may help free him from the bush. \"You cannot,\" he decides derisively, backing away as far as he is allowed. \"I have evaded you too long.\"

ARB: Nurenhir has \"passed\" on his turn to attack.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

Hmph,\" snorts Shaaknar is response. \"Then hold still and it\'ll be over quickly.\" He hoists the blade again, but pauses. A sickly smile plays about his lips as though he has just devised a wonderful idea. \"Or, of course,\" hisses the orc in a tone of mocking pleasantness, \"if you\'d rather stay a while more..the others\'d be thrilled if I brought you back to the clearing. Maybe skin you alive in their excitement. Isn\'t that a treat?\" The uruk-hai lets the broadsword hover in his hand for now, instead trying to shuffle himself back and forth around the bush to prevent Nurenhir from fleeing.

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

You forego your chance to attack.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

A shadow passes over Nurenhir\'s face, and he crouches, pulling the cloak away. \"In that case, I would rather end here,\" he says softly, clenching a hand to the hole in his shoulder.

Such an action might as well be a ruse, for as the elf straightens the cloak is no longer upon his shoulders, and he flings it out at the Uruk-hai, hoping to muffle the orc as with a blanket.

ARB: Nurenhir has \"passed\" on his turn to attack.

[Muirgheal(#32535)] Out in the wildlands, where misty moors shrouded in darkness would prove a challenge to a mortal girl even without the ever-present threat of orcs, the driving rain has kept away all but one such girl. On second glance, she\'s not so much a girl as she is a woman now, her thin face and black eyes hardened over years, although her long, golden hair still trails all the way down her back. Calmly, steadily, Muirgheal walks through the rain without the hood of her cloak drawn up, weaving her way between the trees. She\'s eating something- it looks like the crust of a bread. She appears to be deep in thought, because she comes within a few yards of the lone uruk-hai before slowing her pace. A flicker of curiosity is in her gaze, but she approaches no further. Rain slides down the tip of her nose, and she licks it off.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

The orc shoots a feign look of disappointment toward where Nurenhir lies in his foliage. He is on the verge of saying something more, when he gives another sniff and he half-turns his head to peer about. Malicious eyes of red settle upon the new arrival, and the creature\'s lips twist anew into a smirk. But it is the human who aids in the Elf\'s attemp -- there is a muffled growl, and Shaaknar stumbles away from Nurenhir\'s bush. The uruk-hai flings his left claw up to tear and yank at the cloak that now obscurs his vision.

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

You forego your chance to attack.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Nurenhir bursts out of the bush, leaving quite a few shreds of cloth behind. A pained glance is sent towards the struggling uruk-hai, and then the elf reaches with a bloodied hand toward the girl\'s arm. \"Come now,\" the steward says gently, \"this isn\'t a place for you. Let us return to the village.\"

[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal doesn\'t seem nearly as unsettled as a girl ought by the sight of deep red eyes staring at her in the dark. Yet when the elf bursts from the bush, Muirgheal gives a little start. It takes her just seconds to appraise Nurenhir\'s appearance and decide that this is a friend she reaches out and peacefully takes hold of that bloodied, offered hand, still holding onto her crust of bread with the other. \"Are you hungry?\" Muirgheal asks Nurenhir nicely. The bread crust is held out if Nurenhir doesn\'t take it, it will be dropped in favor of drawing her sword. \"We are safe,\" she adds confidently, giving a look to the uruk-hai who is momentarily bothered with a cloak.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

There comes a sort of disbelieving laughter from under the elven cloak the orc\'s tone is incredulous and perhaps amused at the lack of concern the girl displays.

Jerking the fabric sharply, he manages to free most of his head, although the rest of the cloak snags against his leather armor and is caught. \"/I\'m/ hungry!\" Shaaknar shouts, slightly irritated at this point. \"And I should say, no, you aren\'t safe. Not at all.\" He staggers, still fighting with the material.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

\"He\'s right,\" Nurenhir says faintly, tugging on the woman\'s hand (breadcrust declined). \"This isn\'t a time for pleasantries, lady. We must go, now!\"

[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal\'s bread then falls to the ground in favor of drawing her sword. She glares back over her shoulder at the uruk-hai, whose struggle seems to be continuing with the cloak. \"My son bites harder than you do, I\'d bet,\" she says with narrowed eyes, although she elaborates no further on which son this is. Then, in the face of Nurenhir\'s urgent words, Muirgheal shrugs her agreement. \"Alright then, on our way!\" she tells the Elf, and gives his bloodied hand a tighter grip as she starts to run, sword held firmly in her other hand as they go.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

At Muirgheal\'s initial comment, the orc scowls darkly, wrenching the hindering cloak further off of himself -- but it twists even more about his legs as it falls, and he trips, falling into the dirt with a cry of frustration. \"Run, run! That\'s right, maggots! Take your bloody dagger back!\" Snatching out a claw, Shaaknar swipes the elven knife up. His arm flicks, and metal flies.

You pick up a dagger.

COMBAT - Wielded: Dagger

[Combat(#13388)->Shaaknar]

You throw your dagger at Nurenhir...

Your dagger flies wide of Nurenhir, doing no harm.

Your weapon lies now upon the ground at his feet.

COMBAT - Wielded: Short Broadsword

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Breathing heavily, Nurenhir follows close behind Muirgheal, stumbling over the unfamiliar ground. His knife clatters nearby, but he pays it no heed, running still.

[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal easily keeps pace with Nurenhir, unchallenged by it and giving a sudden burst of speed as the dagger comes their way. Muirgheal asks the Elf in a rush of breath, \"Do you want me to draw blood?\" She raises her sword arm a little as they move.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

The Isendrim orc does not look to see whether or not his throw has hit -- though, with the lack of screams it points to the latter -- rather he is busy with his back on the forest floor, and he kicks at the pesky cloak to free his legs. Tiring of this when it grows apparent his efforts are going nowhere, Shaaknar pushes his sword down, trying to cut the material off.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

Nurenhir chances a glance back, at the orc so occupied with shredding his newest cloak. \"No, it will not be necessary,\" he assures ruefully, \"and we should not go back there, for he has companions.\" His own arm hangs limply at his side, steadily trickling sticky blood, and he lowers his head, setting teeth to the tunic hem and pulling sharply.

[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal only now has time, once more distance is between them and the -hai, to look over Nurenhir and notice that one of his arms doesn\'t look right. \"Do you need healing now? I can set a bone in a flash...or can you make it until we reach the village?\" Her voice is even and kind. They keep moving, despite the wind and rain, and every so often, Muirgheal chances a glance over her shoulder to make sure that the uruk-hai doesn\'t follow.

[Shaaknar(#16331)]

From the uruk-hai, there are no signs of pursuit. At last freed of the steward\'s trap, Shaaknar spents several moments stamping the tattered remains of the elven cloak into the mud with a boot. Distant calls of harsh voices have begun to trail along the night air -- it seems the other two Isengard orcs have started to wonder about their companion\'s delay. As the human and the Elf race away, they would see naught more than the gleam of angry crimson eyes in the increasing distance and these too are gone soon, back into the depths of the forest.

[Nurenhir(#14756)]

\"There is no need, lady,\" is what Nurenhir attempts to say through the makeshift bandage, winding it tightly around his shoulder. Straightening, the steward grimaces again and speeds up the pace. \"The bone was not broken. But we must hurry!\"

[Muirgheal(#32535)] \"Alright then,\" Muirgheal murmurs, \"Hurry up, and I\'ll look at it when we get back!\" This is said with the hurried air of one who assumes her healing skills are worth something- yet she speaks to an Elf! She slows her own pace just a little, sword held with her usual menacing glower, as though she\'s guarding Nurenhir until they reach the village.