Melrah's Take Over

"You two did alright for your first run as thieves."

The man's voice was strong and proud, natural characteristics for someone who has given orders for more than half his life. Xicer thumped his chest twice before holding his fist parallel to his shoulder, the gesture of brotherhood in the tribal lands.

"Your kindness is too great my liege Hafiz. Our job was not difficult at all, we just stole a package."

Hafiz ushered a serving girl from the side of the huge tent. She gently placed a hookah pipe in the center of the 12 men that circled the room.

"The story isn't so simple."

Hafiz placed the hookah pipe in his mouth, taking a deep breath. The sound of the bubbling water from inside the hookah's chamber gargled playfully. Blowing a stream of smoke into the tent, Hafiz continued

"You boys took a package that held something very important to me. What do you think it might be?"

The hookah haze drifted across the room lazily, reminding Xicer of a cloud that he had never seen. He glanced around the room trying to make sense and meaning of all the faces he saw. Hard places breed hard men. Wasn't that the saying? And hard men rule the world. He couldn't really lay his finger on it, but he sensed amusement from these men. Are they mocking me?

"I truly do not know my liege, but I can guess."

Hafiz passed the hookah pipe over to the man beside him. Lurching forward, he picked up the stolen package.

"A guess? You're not a very clever boy are you? The Shoran'Ryu are not as powerful as we are because we're made up of guessers. We require insight boy."

He rotated the package in his hands methodically.

"What we have here was stolen because of our insight. The Serpent and his Exalted Desert Tribe have control of the major ore mines but we know those are just a distraction. They have found something much bigger. Ah, and it's in here."

Hafiz shook the package hard, casting a noise that sounded like many small daggers rubbing against one another. Some men in the room laughed aloud, while others brooded in the shadow of the hookah smoke.

"Our cell will rise in the hierarchy of the Shoran'Ryu because of this package. Here, open it Durhella."

He tossed the package over to a portly man with a dagger between his teeth. Durhella took no time running the blade deftly around the box, cutting it free of its hemp bindings. He placed small black bags no bigger than a man's palm on the table. They clinked softly as Hafiz reached for one and dangled it near his own face.

"Do you hear that?"

The thieves in the room all began to speak at once, many clamoring for the bag's insides to be shown.

"Coins! Silver! On with it!"

Hafiz huffed "Shut your mouths! Do not rush me, I'll tear out your loose tongues and have you hold them with your hands since you cannot hold them with your mouths."

The room fell silent, save for the movement of the serving girls and bubbling of the hookah. Even the smoke seemed to halt for a moment, before remembering it wasn't even human.

"Now boys, tell us how you managed to steal these precious diamon-"

Hafiz began pouring the contents of the bag onto his hand, his pearly white teeth as the backdrop. His face quickly twisted in pain as he watched copper pennies spill across his finger tips.

"ds????"

Xicer unfastened his dagger from a sheath concealed at the small of his back. He punched it in Hafiz's throat three times, "Zwei!"

"I truly do not know my liege, but I can guess."

Zwei's eyebrows perked as the words escaped Xicer's lips - a wry smile shaped his lips briefly, finding his companion's words rather amusing to say the least. Needless to say he composed himself immediately, allowing his ember hued gaze wander a bit. He sat at Xicer's plank - not exposing himself to any unprecedented attack. One would be foolish to let his guard down around bandits, rapist, and murderers. Despite Zwei's wishes - he was rather familiar with this type of crowd; Their beaten vessels showed their pain, age, and more importantly their lives. A clog of Shisha smoke filled the tent - though it was overshadowed by a repugnant must originating from the men inside.

"A guess? You're not a very clever boy are you?..."

Oh how mistaken this foolish man was. The sound of cackling filled the room as the group of bandits found amusement in the duo's 'confusion.' It wasn't rare that they were treated differently in crowds such as this; these types of crowds always made the costly mistake of confusing their youth as a weakness, it was a certain 'truth' they would correct soon enough. Needless to say Zwei harbored no aggression towards the leader, he didn't as much as hint the idea - he remained poised and entertained their foolish perception as the naive bandits.

As the time progressed - anticipation carved their expressions with curiosity as they watched on. Zwei shifted his weight against Xicer slightly, without drawing too much attention to himself. A young woman positioned herself between Zwei and a bandit at his flank - she held a metal plate with a few bottles on top of it.

"Now boys, tell us how you managed to steal these precious diamon-"

Everything seemed to fall in place perfectly - Just as Xicer sprung into action; Zwei flipped the metal plate into his neighbor's face - not with enough force to knock him out, but just enough to buy his partner in crime a bit of time. Due to the immediately shock of deception - most of the men hadn't' as much as flinched, let alone respond to it. He shifted his weight against Xicer, rolling along his back to quickly move to his flank. As he moved around him - he placed an idle hand over the hilt of his small dagger, tucked at his waist withdrawing it and plunging the jagged blade into the back of the man's neck before he could get a chance to attack Xicer's flank.

He placed an idle hand on the ground for support, standing up and retracting the blade from the man's neck - their advantage resided in their unprecedented attack, but these were hardened men - they had managed to take out two with no problem, but there were still ten that remained. He retracted the blade from the man's neck, kicking his dying vessel into his neighbor. He kept his gaze on the bandit crew, trusting that his companion would be able to protect his flank with no trouble at all.

"I'll race you X, first one to kill their five gets to decide where we're eatting at, and you know my pick!"

The haze was thick, coated with the scent of sweat and blood. Xicer knew the advantage of their surprise attack had been lost but he could still use the hookah smoke as a cover. The men had quickly encircled them, blades drawn and mouths snarled. One man specifically spoke louder than the rest, asserting his role as new leader. "Hafiz never knew when to shut up. Idle threats and loud curses." He spat, "You boys did us a favor. Join us, we need strong arms to rest control away from the Serpent and his Exalted Tribes." He pulled a coin purse from within the folds of his robe and tossed it on the table. "We'll pay you, give you high positions, your own horses, women. We'll even overlook the blood. Just tell us where the diamonds are... Or more importantly... The map, Where is it?" Xicer grabbed the coin purse with his free hand and tucked it away. He could feel the animosity from the men, despite the so called partnership. "The map isn't here. We can work out a deal but tell your men to-" Durhella charged Xicer in a blind rage, his dagger reaching out for his throat. In an instant, the swarm of ShoranRyu men lost all composure and any sense of forgiveness. Even the newly minted leader lunged out in bloodlust, "Take the diamonds off their corpses!" Xicer thought quickly, grabbing the hookah pipe and smashing its bowl against Durhella's head. Hot water sprayed everywhere, casting a warm mist inside the tent. The portly man's body went limp before crumbling to the ground like dry sand. Blades were on him and Zwei now, clawing at them like the paw of a large sand tigra. Xicer pressed his back firmly against Zwei's back. He slid out a circular object made from soft metal from his shoulder bag. It was obvious that they could not kill another nine men on their own, but they had never intended to from the beginning. They came to this tent for information gathering, reconnaissance, and to measure their manhoods against the ShoranRyu. Xicer flipped the table over infront of him using the toe of his boot. "Rotten Eggs!" He pulled up the bandana hanging around his neck and covered his mouth and nose, smashed the circular object to the ground a few feet ahead, and dropped behind the table. Not the first time they'd done this, so he knew Zwei would be getting low too. The object cracked and ruptured, spewing the foulest smoke these men had probably ever smelled. It mixed with the hookah smoke, catching the light from the lanterns inside which cast the room in a dull glow. 

Zwei kept his gaze focused on the men standing before him, pressing his back firmly against Xicer. The moment Xicer lowered himself to retrieve the pouch of money, Zwei intensified the grasp around his dagger, allowing his gaze to wander as he completed the deed. "You hear that? He said Horses?" He hinted quietly just before Xicer had made his counter offer - before he even had the chance to conclude his proposition he felt Xicer's back tense up against his own. The circle of men that encompassed him begun to close almost immediately, but despite the closure he kept his back pressed firmly against X. The scantily clad dressed women dispersed from the tent, making their escape before they became another casualty. They were at a huge disadvantage and their position was less than desirable in a tactical stand point. He flung his dagger out to his right, due to his lack of body position the tip of the blade merely bounced off the man's forehead, not fatal, but enough to further intensify the individuals anger.

"Rotten Eggs!"

Zwei grimaced at the idea, but placed an idle hand on the bandanna laced loosely around his neck - He lifted it up to cover his mouse and nose, quickly and threw himself on the floor as the cloud smoke filled the tent. The scent of the clog danced across his nostrils and lips, as he slithered his way towards the exit of the tent. During the confusion he managed to slip away under the confines of the tent. Once he exited he immediately peaked over his shoulder to make sure Xicer was following suit. "Rotten Eggs? Really X?" He exclaimed, appalled by the idea of resorting to that tactic again - it was very effective, but oh' how Zwei despised it. While removing the cloak from away from his lips he made his way towards one of the horses the rebels left. He spat several times, attempting to get that disgusting taste from the tip of his tongue.

"Lets move! They're coming!"

Just as he begun to get the horse ready he caught a few gasping and gagging as they made their exit from the tent.

The sunlight smacked Xicer across the face. He had spent too long in the tent, with it's darkness and smoke. Zwei had already scampered out of the tent ahead of him and now Xicer could feel safe to cut one of the pegged ropes that held up the tent. The uneven weight forced a quarter of the tent to topple in on itself. A few had made it out before the top came tumbling down.

"Lets move! They're coming!"

Zwei's shout came not a moment too soon, as the wiser men trudged out towards them disoriented. Xicer noticed very quickly the frantic horses that were outside the tent. Many were already pulling on their reigns, trying to break free of their posts. Xicer threw a dagger forcibly at the horse near the front of the posts. The dagger cut through the reigns before lodging itself in the wooden post. Xicer grabbed the nearest post with right arm and used it as leverage to hop on top of the post. He began to run across the wooden pillars, clearing the distance between him and the ShoranRyu men while closing it between the horse. Just as the horse had bolted, already putting feet between it and its post, Xicer leapt with the strength of a sand tigra. The warm air pushed apart his hair and tossed the sand shooting up from the horses hooves right into his face. He reached out as long as he could, grasping a piece of the reign with his right hand, hoping with all his soul that he would not get kicked to death. Xicer's landed his ass right on the horse's ass, fumbling to gain control, pulling and grasping on the reigns. The horse barely broke stride, only for a moment, feeling the discomfort of the mouth piece pulling against its jaw. Xicer slid forward naturally, securing the reigns in each hand. "Hya! Hya!" He kicked harder at the horse's stomach, immediately feeling the wind run over his body.

The sun was not a stranger amongst these parts - it cast an unforgiving blanket of pure heat, accompanied by it's blinding rays. Oceans of pure death stretched for miles without the slightest hint of life. Within the admist of this death valley, two young rebel soldiers fled from another means of certain death. Zwei back peddled several steps, awaiting for his partner in crime to regain his composure and properly flee. Once Xicer had caught up he immediately turned around to follow suit. With each step Zwei kicked a massive amount of sand - he squinted his eyes slightly, becoming rather irritated by the sand being blown in his face as he trotted towards his escape 'vehicle'.

Zwei's attention shifted over to a mighty stallion being bound to the post - it was very well bred and an obvious beast amongst the pack - there was possibly only a couple more out the pack with the same build. Despite his fondness with the horse - his heart immediately sunk the moment he caught a glimpse tossing his dagger towards the binds that confined the beast.

"No no no no"

Zwei chanted several times, taking notice of the mighty steed immediately breaking away and taking off. Without the slightest hesitation Zwei broke formation in pursuit of the beast. He uttered several curse words under his breath as he pursued the beast, following it within the main tent which was filled with women and patrons alike. The horse ran through tablets and chairs alike - they bounced off his muscular body as if they were pebbles. Zwei followed suit after the horse, fortunately for him due to all the obstacles in the way - he was able to keep up with the horse for the most part. Screams and startled commotions echoed across the massive tent as the horse ran through it - possibly one more location that the two rebels would be outlawed from. The horse went through one entrance, and out the other side with Zwei in hot pursuit - just before the horse made his exit Zwei leaped forward head first, grasping the reign. Despite his 'well thought out plan' he was in possibly in a worse situation than he was prior.

Xicer tugged his horse's rein hard to the right, plowing into a Shoran'Ryu on horseback. "Hya! Hya!" Their situation had escalated into a horse chase through the maze of tents, stalls, and covered food marts. At least 6 of the Shoran'Ryu men had been able to mount a horse and give them chase, three had him surrounded while the other three chased a barely rein clinging Zwei. The sight filled him with utter fear but amusement as well.

The sword came flying over Xicer's head, grazing the tips of his hair. "Thief! Return the map! It doesn't belong to you!" The man had nearly lopped of Xicer's head and would have, had he not tucked it away at the last second. How is it the Shoran'Ryu's map if they stole it from the Exalted Desert Tribes? Another curved dagger floated down from above and to his left. Xicer pulled his body back just as the blade flew by his face and into his saddle. It lodged itself hard into the leather, only a few millimeters away from his crotch. The man who delivered the near unmanning blow grinned, baring his brown stained teeth. Xicer looked straight ahead, back at the would be crotch cutter, pulled the reins hard to the left, and forcibly rammed into man and horse. The pair toppled over with a terrified man-horse scream before disappearing into a crumbling tent.

Xicer deflected another sword blow aimed at his throat by punching away the man's fist with his own fist. The steal blade curved back inward towards the Shoran'Ryu's horse, slicing into neck, flesh, and all. The poor beast's fresh blood doused Xicer in a fine spray, splashing across his face and eyes. Pain gripped his vision as the blood threw him into darkness. His horse barely broke a stride as it bowled through a line of vegetable stands, kicking squash and turnips into every direction. Where was he headed? He couldn't see anything. With his hand fumbling for the bandanna at his neck, Xicer tried to wipe away the blood before he was assaulted by the last Shoran'Ryu.

His horse screamed, an agonizing sound that was certainly death. Xicer felt the ground kiss him against the skull. The impact drove out his mind and he immediately blacked out. Shouting, the sound of steel walking towards him. Was someone crying? The sounds drummed against his mind, bringing him back to life. The third, I forgot about the third... I realized too late. He opened his eyes slowly, afraid of the piercing sunlight. The gurgling sound of bubbling blood drew his attention. His horse lay strewn in a pool of blood flowing from it's thighs and throat. I'm sorry dear friend, I really screwed up. Then Xicer saw the man, a dark silhouette standing against the backdrop of an unrelenting sun. In his right hand he held a cruel piece of steel that soaked up the sunshine like it did his horse's blood. He fiercely stalked towards Xicer with an expression that screamed bloodlust.

In a den of thieves, murderers, and criminals we have no allies.

Panic ensued as a skirmish amongst rebels had continued - the sounds of screams, cries, and utter fear echoed across the village. The earth rumbled with each thumping blow the horses made as they traversed. Citizens alike immediately surrendered within their tents, while others pressed their backs firmly against stone buildings to allude a sure and painful death. Due to the separation of his Ally; Zwei found himself in a bit of a funk. He was vulnerable at every direction and the lack of balance would make any man insane. He managed to pull himself up with the use of the rein, but his legs continued to drag across the hardened terrain. A burning sensation began to creep up against his flesh despite the pants that shielded them from a certain disaster.

Zwei shifted his intention on his pursuers - despite his steed's formidable build; it was dwarfed by his inability to mount it properly. Each time he tried to propel himself onto the steed's back he merely got drugged down with his feet dragging across the ground and pulling the beast to the hard right. For a brief moment his gaze settled on his rear, taking notice of the pursuers behind him, but more important he realized his partner in crime wasn't behind him.

He immediately became rather flustered by the idea, concerned that his companion had been surrounded by a gang of sword wielding fiends. Needless to say he had his own problems, he would locate X at a later time.

Under construction!