The streets (Brahkula Hun'viir)

[Obalym Poe]

The streets are unusually quiet tonight the inky shadows overcoming a few strands of mythril light that stream through the bleak setting and unto the cobbled streets the half-breed traversed through the border between the civilized city and the misbegotten southern quarter ripe with the disease of desperate criminals it seemed lately that people had only grown more desperate now that the blood alley gang was out of the picture. Certainly they were ruthless but in all their chaotic fervor a certain order had been kept a pecking order that kept many thugs in their place but now there was even less order then there was before. The vacuum made Obalym wonder exactly what blood thirsty clan would take over the royal position king of thugs.

Obalym and her three men crossed the barrier between a semi civil city and the wilderness of stone ruins filled to the brim with the scum of any society. Although often for many it is a simple reality that one would be stalked, mugged, or otherwise mangled. But for the four had no fear of these people on the streets, several successful heists have boosted their confidence not to mention the fact that they have the protection of their lord Dimitri things certainly look up for them. Not a soul touches them, not even the corrupted guards for they are in the pocket of the generous lord Dimitri.

Aedom piped up, his gravled voice due to the abhorrent amount of tobacco the man smoked called for attention “Lets take a break here, I need a smoke” He paused pushing his lean back up against a derelict house taking out a little tin box that contains his rolled cigarettes. The ugly stump george lifted up the flickering torch to Aedom who lit up his sweet smelling tobacco. A barely ashen skinned face turned to watch her men, George, Aedom and Pete. All three of them had proved their worth and together all of them had come out of some sticky situations, although their profession is illicit the trust that had grown between them could not truly be expressed with words. Tonight Obalym truly looked the part of a waif, thin small body with simple grey and brown clothing that did nothing to enhance her beauty but in fact make her seem simple poor and nondescript.

And her illuminated eyes looked out into the darkness unhindered by the creeping shadows pink orbs did not need the aid of torchlight to navigate the dark streets she simply watched the lonely cobbles while her companions chattered over flavor of drink and fine women that they had seen lately.

[Brahkula Hun'viir]

Perhaps Obalym should have knocked on wood that night when she had made the assumption that none would dare trifle with lord dimitri. There were powers in the world that quiet frankly did not care, and others that had been saving there chips for a rainy day. This urban jungle that Obalym had felt the need to tread was part of the Harlequins territory, these corridors and back alleys had seen more violence from these misbegotten blood thirsy deviants in one night then they had during the entire dynasty of the Blood Alley Gang.

Before Obalym Poe as she stood looking before her in the darkness a trio of mishaped forms could be seen. While Behind her another trio would approach, while from the left and right a cacaphony of shrill laughter and menacing giggles could be heard on the advance.

It would come suddenly from behind there was a feint click or snap before a band made a harshly loud pop and as this happened an object went whirring through the night it was a cross bow bolt aimed for the right leg of Aedom as he had been carelessly smoking a ciggeratte and had not taken precaution in taking his rest in a more strategic location.

The small mob however stayed on the fringes far enough to way to avoid a close quarter combat fight, but close enough to keep them pinned in the center as they were surrounding in the corridors from the north south east and west.

Only one voice spoke up in the night.

And who is thy true lord and master?

[Obalym Poe]

Usually the assumption that the Lord Dimitri and his men would not be trifled with is quite a safe one. The man happened to be well like with his men and most of the populace whatever he touched it seemed to grow and prosper order fell into place; as much as the order of things are in Vortex. But regardless things like bloodthirsty thugs happen. Obalym's stand had been relaxed just a casual wait till Aedom smoked away his tobacco. When the figures emerged from the ink of night Obalym went ridged ahead of them three humanoid shapes came forward she turned around three more figures approached through the alleyway that separates the derelict house Aedom was leaning upon; and another derelict house just across the way.

Her heart pounded adrenaline rushing through her veins and into her muscles, breathing became heavy but fear had not yet overtaken her. And considering she was born and raised in the southern quarter this was not unfamiliar ground to her these people whoever they are intrude upon her home. Unwelcome visitors most likely armed to the teeth with crossbows and shortswords both of which are very bad for ones blood levels.

The men stood erect Aedom drawing out his dagger, while George and Pete placed their hands upon other concealable weapons just as the noise reached them. Aedom spat out his cigarette removing himself from the derelict house and approaching Obalym from behind “Who’s out there” he said to her while squinting in the darkness aided by the torchlight. “Shut up” Obalym snapped through gritted teeth “People we are surrounded”

That’s when it hit Aedom in the right leg, just below the buttocks into his thigh; he fell over prone with the shaft deep into his flesh and screaming profanities streamed out of his moulth. The thick bodied George rushed over and helped Aedom up who remained mostly immobile due to the assault. “Who is my true lord and master?” Obalym repeated back to them with an incredulous tone, somehow no matter how she responded it seemed any response would be the wrong one and all of them together would be punished with weapons for it. “I; uh we all work for the good Baron Dimitri, what business would you have with him that you would attack his people going home?”