======================================================================= [Shifters] Intro - Cousins: Prytzouth & Maurkel ======================================================================= The psi-hounds were fast approaching; he could feel their probing. They were grotesque creatures, only vaguely expressing the thin cainine blood that ran through their veins, but they were more dangerous than any pitbull. Methodically, they searched the area for any sign of physical or mental passing with only one desire in their hearts, bloodlust. Where they originated, Prytzouth could not tell, perhaps they were the watchdogs of some crazed magician, but he knew that this pack's master had long ago passed on. He concentrated on his defense, hide. He would rather elude these freaks of nature than face their intelligent, single-mindedness, let alone face them in open physical battle. One, two, three, four... He counted the signature probing of each of the beasts. They were definitely bold, and their tactics were easily eluded; they were driving him. It was an ancient way of hunting and very effective. Prytzouth couldn't stay put and hide, couldn't find a hole in their front to slip through, and he couldn't move too quickly; he needed to keep his head, he couldn't panic. One thought couldn't escape him during this monotonous push, how many others were waiting at the ambush? The psi-hounds were getting excited, their probing came with greater frequency, greater strength; the ambush was near. Pritzouth could imagine the short battle for his life. Teeth ripping into his limbs, closing around his neck. No! He couldn't let it happen. ::There are only four here,:: he thought, although not comfortingly. ::Could I pass for one of them?:: Yet, he knew the answer to that question. Although the psi-hounds weren't really true cainines, they possessed the same mode of recognition and identification, scent. He could never immitate it without previous study. The psionic signature wouldn't be that hard to immitate, but the physical required a little more first-hand knowledge. He dared not take to the air, the gale that ripped at the trees would do likewise to him. Besides, it was blowing straight into the ambush; if he could take flight, he could only hope to fly with the wind. ::Damn! I underestimated these beasts! What twisted individual ever could create such things!?:: ::I'll have to fight here,:: he concluded as he found a likely position for defense, the crest of a small hill surrounded only by open forest floor. He looked with dismay around him, no cover. Not one single bush; yes, the hill was the best choice. Slowly, he drew his bastard sword and began repeating a single word to himself, ::Dari, Dari, Dari,...:: A blood-curdling bay ripped through the wind tossed forest; it sent shivers down Prytzouth's back. ::Dari, Dari, Dari,...:: He could see them approach, their furless, muscled bodies rippling as they charged forward to their prey. At least they didn't have to share the spoils of this hunt with the rest of the pack! He drew on their confidence, played with it. Feigning a paniced probe for help, he set the hook deep into the lips of their bloodlust. They attacked! A barriage of psionic assults hit his wall. He could feel them try to manipulate his thought, and he could feel their frustration as their assults fell impotent. "You have met your match, you currs!" he screamed as the hounds covered the last stretch of forest. He raised his sword and waited for the first physical attack. The lead psi-hound leaped into the air, sending an image of ferocity that only the mind could comprehend. It expected the prey to crumble with fear, only to find a sword flash through it's throat. Prytzouth side-stepped and watched the body fall to the ground. The other psi-hounds hesitated, seeing their leader fall so easily. Prytzouth glared at them with a snarl in his throat and grinned. He had played his first card, and won; now it was their move. The hounds looked on warily and angrily. This wasn't going according to plan! Yet, they had experienced similar battles with other powerful psionists and won, and they still had one large advantage, numbers. Slowly, they circled their prey and projected mirror images of themselves. Prytzouth grinned as he saw their ploy and slowly turned in defensive circles. ::Dari, Dari, Dari,...:: Confident that the human didn't know their true location, they attacked! One fell instantly to his sword, as the other two leaped towards him. They only found air. Prytzouth appeared behind the rear psi-hound and cut it down from behind. The remaining beast growled at the human, spun and bolted past him baying and projecting messages to the ambush group. ::DAMN!:: Pritzouth turned and ran. Calling on speed and agility that only the gifted could, he covered the ground quickly. ::Dari, Dari, Dari...:: The probes came, and he could feel the anger and vengance behind them, and then he felt a familiar probe... "No," he breathed in stunned amazement. "No, it couldn't be..." The probe locked on to him with skill not present in the psi-hounds, and it directed them. Prytzouth screamed with frustration, but kept up with his defense. A form materialized before him, as if suddenly painted by an invisible brush, and Prytzouth stopped. "YOU!" he spat venomously. "::DARI::" the form spoke and projected silmultaneously. The wall shattered, and Prytzouth used all his strength to keep his sanity together. Gripping his head from the pain, he dropped to one knee and glared at the figure before him. It was a human male, dressed in a black robe, sporting a vicious grin. His black hair was streaked with grey and his yellow eyes fixed on Prytzouth. "How did you know?" asked Prytzouth behind clenched teeth, his knuckles white around the hilt of his sword. "Simple," replied the man. ::I could always read your thoughts.:: he replied telepathically. The baying of the hounds grew louder, and Prytzouth shifted his glare behind him and then to the man again. "Murderer!" he spat. ::Bah! What is murder but another form of income, one we profited greatly on?:: he replied telepathically. ::You knew I loved her! You knew that if anything happened to her, I'd...:: ::You'd WHAT!? Kill your partner, your best friend?!:: ::Don't ever call me that again, Maurk. You lost your partner and friend when you took the contract.:: ::Then Prytz, you'll die alone. You're choice.:: "Then I'll die, but not alone," he declaired softly behind clenched teeth an drew his sword in a cutting motion toward Maurk's throat! Maurk stepped back and drew his own sword pommel up as he spun into the cut; the back of his fist connected with Prytzouth's chin as he continued the spin to complete the block. Prytzouth assulted his thoughts trying to confuse him, but Maurk was prepared for this, repeating his own Wall of the Word. They knew each other's moves well. The countless hours they spent training together also gave them implicit knowledge of each other's styles and tricks. Sword verses sword, mind verses mind, one could not have found a more even match or a more deadly combination. Prytzouth felt teeth sink into his calf and begin to tear. The psi-hounds! As he went down he saw only hairless bodies pounce on Maurk and himself. "MAURK!!!" he screamed as he tried to rise and cut away the bloodlusted beasts. A moment later, he looked up to see his ex-partner floating above him grinning; claws and teeth ripped into his arms and legs. He felt a weight press him to the ground; his arms felt heavy. "No, you bastard!" As the teeth and claws raked his body and sank into his shoulder, Prytzouth fixed his mind on an image of a place, one he remembered from a trip long ago. It was the image of a bar with a friendly looking keeper, one that seemed old and yet looked young... * * * * * * * * It was late in the night; the Inn was full of customers. Song and laughter rang merrily throughout the bar. By the hearth a bard was weaving a tale of mystery and magic. The barkeeps were busy rushing orders to tables, almost too busy to notice a new figure materialize on a bar stool if it weren't for the poor lady who's lap it appeared on. Screaming hysterically, she struggled under the weight of a large, bloody man. Two patrons next to her caught the limp figure as he slid off her lap and gently set him down on the floor. A man rushed to the woman's side and wrapped his arms around her, guiding her toward the door. She babbled incessantly between sobs about why she didn't *ever* go out with her husband, the one comforting her, "...because this is exactly what happens! And you call these people your friends?! For the love of..." Everyone's attention was drawn to the unconscious man that now occupied a bloody spot on the floor. He may have once been a handsome man, but now his face was torn; his white-blonde hair matted with blood. He was of medium build and average height. In his hand was clenched a bloody bastard sword, his knuckles white with tension even though the remainder of his body was limp.... "Is he dead?" someone in the crowd asked... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Admin - Last post, Prytzouth teleported into the Inn as a last effort to escape death by the jaws of psi-hounds and treachery of his ex-friend and partner, Maurkel.] Everyone's attention was drawn to the unconscious man that now occupied a bloody spot on the floor. He may have once been a handsome man, but now his face was torn; his white-blonde hair matted with blood. He was of medium build and average height. In his hand was clenched a bloody bastard sword, his knuckles white with tension even though the remainder of his body was limp.... "Is he dead?" someone in the crowd asked... Hugh's attention had been elsewhere until that poor lady was interrupted by the appearance of this large, unconscious man upon her lap. He sighed thinking, "Only in _my_ inn does this happen!" and he made his way over to where the man now laid. The sight was a rather grotesque one; there were tears, gashes, and missing flesh pitting the man's body, and he was bleeding profusely. Hugh immediately untied his apron and began tearing it into strips. "Quickly! I need bandages, water, and that bottle of whiskey atop the bar!" he shouted as he began binding the man's wounds. Receiving the wiskey from Fawn, who was standing beside him, Hugh unscrewed the top and poured it onto the open wounds. With a shout of pain, the man's good left eye popped open. The wounded man quickly scanned the room with his good eye by rolling his head from side to side. Through clenched teeth, the man whispered, "Get me to a room, quickly." "We're going to fix you up before we even think of moving you, son." Hugh replied. "You're loosing enough blood as it is. I'm not going to risk having you die right here in the middle of my Inn!" Fawn had been silent, studying the wounded man. "There's something awfully strange about that man," she thought to herself. "He's not who he seems, but he's not a magician; I feel no magic emanating from him." Prytzouth whispered again, "You MUST get me to another room! Trust me, I can handle the move!" "Do as the man requests, Hugh, please," said Fawn. ::He's not who he seems,:: she added in an urgent tone. Hugh nodded and motioned for a customer to help him move the man out of the bar and down the hall to a room. Fawn walked along side and studied the man intently. As they were walking, Fawn could see a physical change in the face of the man; his white-blonde hair began to darken with streaks of grey and his beard began to cover his entire face. She could feel the dispiration emanating from the man, he didn't to reveal himself this way! "Hurry!" she prompted. Fawn opened the door to the closest empty room and moved aside for Hugh and the customer. They quickly laid the "man" down on the bed; Hugh bid thanks to the customer and motioned for him to leave. The customer bowed and backed out the door wide-eyed. Their attention returned to the wounded "man" on the bed. What happened next shouldn't have disturbed either Hugh or Fawn in any way, but it did. They'd seen many forms of shapeshifting, lycanthropy, and magic in their time, but this seemed backwards. The "man" had changed into a large white-grey wolf, and for some reason it seemed natural. Natural. Fawn and Hugh stared in amazement. The wolf was very large, it's broad chest and long body covered most of the bed. Hugh estimated that if the wolf were to stand, it's shoulders would easily come to Hugh's chest. It's fur was white-blond streaked with grey, and it had one good yellow eye. Even though it was torn with wounds, the wolf was beautiful. The clothes he had worn were now torn and tight in places and loose in others. It looked rather ridiculous. ::Thank you kindly, dear ghost, for seeing to my urgent need. You were correct in assuming I did not want my identity revealed to many.:: he said to both Fawn and Hugh. ::I do believe the bandages are both too tight in places an too loose in others, hence why I didn't want you to spend too much effort on binding me. Not to mention the clothes:: The wolf gripped on to the shirt it wore and began to tear at it. "I suppose that makes sense now." Hugh smiled weakly, still taken aback by the metamorphosis. "Let's see what I can do about that," he added as he unsheathed a boot knife. He went to work cutting off the clothes and ill-fitting bandages. ::I believe once you bind the wounds, I should be able to handle the healing.:: The wolf licked Hugh's hand gratefully. He turned his attention to Fawn and wagged his tail. ::With luck and time, my eye may even heal.:: Fawn nodded and smiled, "I sure hope it will. They are so beautiful." she stroked the wolf's furry head fondly. It was soft and matted with dried blood. "Sir...wolf...How should we address you?" she asked. ::My human name is Prytzouth, and my friends call me Prytz.:: "Well then, Prytz, how did you come to be so torn?" asked Hugh as he attended the wounds. "Seems to me that you should be a rather formidable fighter." Fawn grabbed a washcloth and began to clean up the wound around the Prytz's eye. ::Yes, I can hold my own, but I wasn't prepared for what transcended.:: Prytz told them briefly what happened in the woods that day. He wondered if he could trust these two, but only for a moment. He could see by their mannerisms and detect by their scent that these were honorable and trustworthy people. He told them of the treachery of his ex-friend and partner, Maurkel. ::Maurkel is the only other person that knows of my identity, for he is my kin. I know not where or how we became to be, or even why, but I do know we are equal in almost all aspects. What possessed him to kill my love, my fiancee', I can not comprehend. And why he seeks my death is only for the reasons of upholding one of the professional rules of an assassin, no loose ends.:: "But you were friends, KIN!" protested Fawn. "How could he think of killing you?" ::It's not a question of friendship. It's a question of survival. Men in our line of work don't last long if they let their identity be known, even by their friends. I was his partner, and he betrayed me. He know's how I handle betrayal. Mind you, I couldn't kill my own kin, but he does have to pay. He knows he will not be safe until I am dead. That makes me a foe and thus a mark. As far as being kin...:: Prytz let out a dispondant snort. ::Well, you notice that _he_ couldn't kill me, however it was very convienent to help the psi-hounds accomplish his goal. ::Please, I am exhausted. Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated. Now, all I need is a week of silence. I have no gold on me, but I promise you that you will be more than compensated for the inconvenience once I am healthy.:: "I understand," replied Hugh. "Do you need anything else? I think we've bound the wounds well enough." He looked at the bandaged wolf, which looked more like a pile of laundry on account of the numerous bandages. ::Yes, thank you again. They shouldn't scar too badly, I hope. I will need to eat once and a while. If you could bring in a bowl of water and about 10 pounds of venison, or whatever you have on hand, and a little conversation once a day, I would really appreciate it. I don't plan on leaving this room until I can walk on two legs, if you know what I mean.:: Hugh chuckled. "I would be more than happy to oblige. Perhaps tomorrow you can tell me how and why you came to be an assassin." ::Certainly.:: "Rest well," said Fawn. ::Take care:: Hugh put his arm around Fawn's shoulder and accompanied her out the door, locking it behind him. Prytzouth stared at the door for a long time wondering if he had made a mistake telling them as much as he did. He shrugged. Ever since Dari died, he couldn't find it in himself to think as an assassin. These two new loose ends would have nothing to fear from him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Admin - Prytzouth and Maurkel were in the midst of battle when the pack of psi-hounds attacked. Maurkel had guided them here, although he did not control them.] "Maurk!!!" he heart Prytzouth shout as the psi-hounds hit like a wall of hairless death, ripping and tearing into cloth and flesh. The pain was excruciating but not unbearable. Maurkel searched his mind for the anger and focused it on the beasts surrounding him. WHOOOSH! The wind seemed to redirect it's force straight into the chests of the beasts, and it pushed them back far enough for Maurkel to leap into the air. He concentrated on propelling his body higher, and levitating it above the reach of the hounds. He looked down and grinned. This was working out perfectly! Prytz would die today, and his guilt would die with him. Why wasn't Prytzouth changing?! Did he forget what he was? All the better. Maurkel extended his hand, palm out, in Prytzouth's direction. With his mind he pushed his ex-partner to the ground into the jaws of death. "No, you bastard!" screamed Prytz as he felt the power of Maurk's mind push him to the ground. Maurk watched with satisfaction as the psi-hounds tore at Prytz, but noticed a change in Prytz's apperience. What is he trying to do? Prytz's outline began to get fuzzy and dispurse, and Maurk realized that his mark was getting away. "NO!" he shouted as he tried to grab on to the dissipating image of Prytz. "You are NOT getting away!" He felt his hold slip. "DAMN YOU!" Looking down at the pack of psi-hounds below, he felt his anger and frustration build, expand. "How could you let him go!?" he growled at the psi-hounds. After loosing their prey, the hounds turned their attention to the figure being tossed by the wind above them. Hungrily they jumped into the air, snapping at his heels. Twelve. Yes, twelve will be enough... Maurkel looked down at them with a toothy grin as he began to change. His face elongated and his legs shortened, becoming more muscular. His hair became thick black fur, streaked grey, and a deep throaty growl eminated from his jaws. He had transormed into a large, black wolf, bloodthirsty and ferocious. He released his mind from the task of levitating and addressed the pack. ::Now you will see what the real jaws of death are.:: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Admin - Last post, Hugh and Fawn helped Prytzouth; bringing him to a private room and bandaging him up. They learned that he was not a human, but rather a psionic wolf.] Hugh wistled as he walked down the hallway to the guest rooms. He was paying his first visit to Prytzouth since his arrival last night, and boy, what a night that was! As if the place wasn't rowdy enough; to have a bloody man appear on the lap of a woman certainly got a raise out of people. Then to find that this man was really a wolf! He was just glad he and Fawn were able to get Prytzouth to a private room. It was rather amusing to see the face of that customer as Prytzouth transformed. Hugh smiled; this should be interresting. Hugh knocked on the door to the room. He put his head next to the door to listen. A voice sounded in his head, ::Come in, Hugh. I've been waiting for you and that venison, could smell it as soon as you stepped into the doorway.:: Hugh chuckled, and opened the door. "So! You're hungry, are ya'?" ::Famished:: replied Prytzouth. Hugh walked in to see the large wolf stretched out on the bed. Bandages covered almost all of it's body, covering the white-blonde fur and Prytz's right eye. "You look a bit better today," Hugh smiled. "At least you're conscious." ::Agreed:: Prytz wagged his tail. ::And what tasty morsels did you bring today?:: he asked rhetorically; his mouth watering slightly with anticipation. "Just some scraps." Hugh grinned as Prytz let out a derisive growl. "Are you well enough to get out of bed?" ::Perhaps:: answered the wolf, still growling playfully. Hugh filled the water bowl that lay next to the bed and placed the platter of venison next to it. Prytzouth stretched slowly and gingerly stepped off the bed. Blood began to seep through a bandage on his shoulder as he made his way to the food and water. Hugh grimaced as he noticed the blood, pulled out a new bandage he had brought for this occasion, and began to attend Prytz's wounds. ::You don't know how grateful I am, Hugh.:: Prytzouth projected. "Ah, I've seen worse! There was the time when my buddy and I were jumped by a group of rogues. We were outnumbered ten to one!" grinned Hugh as fondly spoke of his warring days. "We barely got out of that one alive! And I tell ya'" he added pausing to point at the wolf. "I had more cuts and broken ribs than you can shake a stick at!" ::Heh...I bet.:: "So, what's all this about being an assassin?" queried Hugh. "You certainly don't seem the type." ::Boy, you don't waste any time, do you?!:: the wolf chuckled in Hugh's mind. ::Well, I guess you could say it was a family business. I didn't exactly have a choice as to my adult career. As I told you yesterday, the guildmaster came to adopt, or own, whichever you prefer, Maurkel and I when we were just pups. It was a rough childhood, but it had it's moments. ::As far back as I can remember, Maurkel and I had worked every day of our lives. When we were young, we were set out as spies to pattern the guild's marks, whether it was to thieve or kill, or we were pick-pocketing. Part of the day was always spent training. Dagger and hand-to-hand first, then short sword, then sword.:: "Sounds a bit like a soldier's training," Hugh observed thoughtfully. "I didn't realize such training was required for thieves." Hugh rubbed his stubbled chin. With a satisfied tug on Prytz's bandages, Hugh settled himself on the wooden chair next to the bed. He shifted his gaze intently on the wolf and tried to imagine his human form again. ::Oh, it's quite necessary, I assure you. There were many times when I was very thankful for the skills I learned back then. Anyway, night was another time for training. Learning to stick to the shadows, to be silent and unobserved. Learning how to climb the slick, rock faces of the keeps, and learning how to kill.:: Prytz finished the last of the venison and water and lept gingerly onto the bed, fixing his one-eyed gaze on Hugh. ::It was the killing that Maurkel and I excelled in.... He thought of it as a game, one he couldn't loose. I was always the one to be cautious, and he was always the one to be wreckless. I won't beat around the bush, Hugh. I fear him as only I could; to know him is to respect him; to love him as kin is to die by his hand. I can afford no love for him, as it would mean my life.:: "What do you mean?" Hugh's brow folded in thought. ::I mean the first one to find the other will have the upper hand. This is a kin war, Hugh, one that neither of us will win, and one that neither of us is willing to loose. I will be hunting him down as he will be hunting me, but first I need to heal. Perhaps leave for a time. The longer he searches, the stronger I will get, and the better prepared for him I will be.:: Prytz looked out the window as dusk quickly approached. ::You will be needed back in the Inn soon.:: Hugh nodded. "You know fighting eachother isn't the solution." ::You don't know Maurkel...:: * * * * * * * * [Admin - The last appearance of Maurkel was in the woods after his failed attempt at taking Prytzouth's life.] * * * * * * * * The sun had long ago retired for the night, and the moon was hesitant to come out; perhaps the moon dared not appear while he still stalked the vacant streets. A light hue crept into the streets from the swinging doors of a rough looking Inn. His footsteps could barely be heard as he approached the front of the Inn. He glanced up at the sign above the doorway. "The Chundering Chimera." This should prove entertaining, he mused. The lamps were shedding little light in the run-down bar, and the fire provided little warmth. A few seedy characters were seated around poorly mended tables playing card games. The light "chink" of copper could be heard as the daring increased the stakes of the hand. A bartender laughed boistersly at a customer on the far end of the bar as he cleaned beer mugs with a less than appropriately clean rag. Stale beer and pipe tobacco permiated the air and stiffled the lungs of any who entered. Maurkel paced up to the bar and seated himself on the sturdies looking barstool, the legs of which were mismatched and riddled with rusty screws and nails. Looking straight ahead at the wall in front of him, acknowledging no one, he reached inside his black cloak and pulled out a silver piece. It landed with a light 'chink' on the bar in front of him as he reached into his cloak once again and produced a pipe and tobacco pouch. The bartender appeared swiftly in front of this money wielding patron, grinning eagerly and rubbing his hands together. "How may I help you, sir?" he asked as he looked over his new customer. Maurkel was dressed in a dark black cloak that bunched up at the floor on account of the short bar stool. His shirt and slacks were also dark in color, perhaps they were green or brown, or even black, the bartender cursed at the poor lighting. A strange looking sword was strapped to his back; it was long and straight, and the hilt was covered in black cloth in a weave pattern, not unlike a braid. He also noticed a shortsword strapped to the customer's side. "A pint of your special brew," Maurkel replied. "Blaz'art was it's name if I remember correctly. And make sure it's a fresh tap." The bartender eyes broadened. He nodded quickly, grabbed the silver piece, and disappeared around the corner. A minute later he returned with a large mug and placed it in front of Maurkel. Maurkel took a log draught of the beer. It wasn't half bad, for this place. As he brought the mug down, he placed his hand on it's base, deftly removing the note and slipping it into his sleeve. He finished his beer and smoke in leisure and deposited another coin on the counter as he stood up. Nodding to the bartender he casually slipped out the door. Once outside, Maurk whistled to himself as he made his way down the alleys toward the souther part of the city. With a flick of the wrist, the note appeared in his hand. He unfolded it... It read... Foreign Dignitary Am'risk Doram Hanging Gardens of Thrimm Glorshanned Keep 3000 rays of sunshine So, another politician, Maurk thought to himself. They were such a bore, but the money was good. Certainly colorful speech, this employer had. 3000 rays of sunshine, indeed. Ah, well, gold out of a politician's purse was as good as any. He chuckled lightly, and with a thought, ignighted the note as he let it drop to the cobblestone road. * * * * * * * *