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Post by Brad the Inhaler on Sept 12, 2008 5:36:45 GMT
As Cid wandered away from the Smith he couldn't shake the feeling that he was getting very low on money, this was followed by a grumbling shudder from his gut in agreement. Drumming his fingers onto his stomach he sighed, perhaps he had best find some work...
"Bastard watch!"
He cursed loudly as he walked through the crowds, it was nearing midday and the bustle of traders and buyers was beginning to reach it's maximum capacity. Cid needed food, and he needed to find somewhere cheap that wasn't too popular with the tourists...He turned the corner onto the next stretch of house-lined, stall-thronged, cobblestone and smiled, this was a familiar patch. As he recalled the times of his youth when he and other young kids used to wander these roads, taking what they could in an effort to survive.
As he was reminiscing he happened to glance through a dusty window, the only remaining glass window in the entire building, and was hit by an extreme wave of nostalgia. The thieves guild! He cast his mind back to the days when the guild masters would fill the orphan's heads with fantastic tales of adventure and wonder, miraculous stories of magical beasts and far off lands. He remembered how as they all grew older, the stories turned more bitter, the old thieves would talk in scorn of the new Prince and his court. They'd spit into the fire and make evil marks in the air with their fingers over the names of those in power in the city, they'd scream and shout at the orphans, blaming them for the lack of money, and whipping them when they weren't out robbing.
Cid coughed as the memories in his head were replaced by that burning image, when he'd sat amongst the fruit carts across the street and watched as over a hundred Watch Men, glorious shining helmets and chest plates, assaulted the doors of the guild. He and the other orphans had hidden from the mayhem as the masters of the guild, their mentors and protectors, were dragged from inside the building. They'd sat still and silent as one by one, the foreign Inquisitor in his great emerald coat had shoved the Thieves to their knees and made them kiss his cuffs before placing his slender silver pistol to their foreheads and removing their brains through the backs of their skulls. Him and his other twice-orphaned brothers fled the scene as soon as it was safe, and none of them had ever returned.
Except for one, Cid. Years of contact with nefarious characters and the marks he had chosen to hunt had led him into certain spiraling rings, and these sort of things tended to come right back round full circle. Throughout his life Cid had often found himself chasing monsters, people and otherwise, and not always with a specific bounty on their head. The newly established 'Hole' was a place where such targets could be taken and sold, so that Cid may sleep easy and well-fed that night.
Stepping over the threshold for the first time in many months Cid took a nasal drag of the many musky aromas that filled the tavern part of the Pit, he cast his eyes around to those present, however most drinking here were alone and turned their heads and faces away from Cid so as not to catch the Hunter's cursed gaze. He slowly paced through the tavern and over to the bar, rapping his knuckles upon it's heavy oak surface to catch the tender's attention.
"I'll have a single glass of fresh milk, a large bowl of whatever broth you've got that's hot, and a small loaf...and is Benigno around?"
The bartender rose up from behind the bar to the sound of knuckles and peered into the gloom cast by the shadowy tavern and Cid's wide hat, hearing the hunter's familiarity with his boss' name he nodded slowly before disappearing out into the back room. Cid turned and leant back against the bar, looking out over the silent customers he frowned...How could men sit in such silence, when beneath their feet men are dying?...He span back round and place his hands upon the bar again as the bartender returned, the man placed a tall, dusty glass of milk upon the bar and sat beside it a large wooden bowl filled with a steaming, aromatic broth with a loaf of bread and a spoon floating in it.
"Ten moons guv, and Benny will be with you d'rectly."
The Bounty hunter gave a polite nod in thanks and dropped ten shillings into the man's hand, he then collected his meal and drink and took a large gulp of the milk as he walked over to a table. He seated himself in the back corner, facing the door, with the bar to his right. He raised the loaf and bit off all the sogginess, setting it down on the table he grabbed the spoon and stirred the broth slowly...No obvious signs it's bad...He raised a spoonfull slowly to his lips and took a steady sniff, smelt clean. Only one thing for it! He tipped the broth into his waiting mouth and let his trained tongue do the work. No familiar tastes in a place like this was probably a good thing, considering the number of toxins and intoxicants that Cid had tasted in his lifetime. Satisfied that the broth was safe, he proceeded to devour the meal in as short a time as possible...
Shortly after he was nearing the end of his meal, Benigno appeared from the door beside the bar. Scowling at his usual patrons, his face exploded with glee when he set eyes upon Cid. His former guild master dashed over to him and held his arms wide to embrace the air, met by no love from Cid, who remained seated. He had never understood how Benigno had survived the massacre, and he had never cared to ask, but the bounty hunter kept himself aware of the backstabbing and deviousness that the Outlaw Kingpin was capable of.
"Ahh, Cid! The fearless monster hunter!...What brings the young prodigy to my humble arena after it has been so long since we last did business, hmm?"
Cid said nothing as he spooned the last of the broth into his mouth, but he motioned with the spoon for Benigno to sit down, which he did. Tearing off a chunk of bread from the loaf Cid mopped up some of the remaining broth and chewed it slowly before answering.
"I need work, high-paid work...and no more hiding in a bush for weeks on end with nothing but a net and a pointy stick, waiting for an ogre to walk by, I mean quick work...something tonight."
The bounty hunter lowered his head to finish the bread and clean the bowl, whilst Benigno thought on the matter.
"You mean, you still want to fight? Just...you want the fight to be waiting for you, and not have to chase it?"
"That about sums it up Benigno, you know what kind of work I'm asking for. So, have you got anything tonight?"
Cid sat back in his chair, licking his fingers, he looked across at the man and smiled casually.
"Ahh...ehh...it is rather short notice, as it happens though, I do have a fight tonight...a small fight. Perhaps you could kill an innocent man for, hmm...half the pot?"
The man smiled at Cid as he skillfully drew the hunter in, he knew he'd take down any man for those odds. It was just a case of blather with these kinds of...unique scum.
"Just a man, Benigno?...You flatter me with the reward, but that sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"
"No catch! This one is too much for us to keep, he is a liability. You would be doing me a favour, and I don't expect the house to rake in much from him anyway."
Cid scratched his chin before downing the rest of the milk and extending his hand.
"Deal."
Benigno snatched the heavy, calloused hand with his own pudgy yet dextrous fingers and they shook.
"Deal!"
With that, both men silently got to their feet and left through opposite doors. They both knew the arrangements, and any more said could be dangerous. Benigno returned to his quarters, and his mountains of money. Cid returned to the streets, and his mountains of guilt and hatred.
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Post by Brad the Inhaler on Sept 13, 2008 2:23:47 GMT
As the night was beginning to draw in it's evening blanket, Cid returned to the Pit. His strides were long and full of false confidence, he needed to feel big tonight. There was no way a small man could walk into this place and survive. Behind him, scurrying along trying to keep up, was the pale-faced orphan known as Get. Cid knew he would need a trustworthy face outside of the ring, and the scum he had personally cleaned off the streets was the closest thing he had to a friend. The hunter turned and stopped, facing the orphan just outside the doors. He bent over and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Remember, don't touch anything, don't drink anything. If anyone seems kind, run. Got it?"
The orphan wiggled his curly blonde head up and down to signal he understood.
"Once we're inside, try not to breathe. Don't try pushing your way to the front of the fight, just keep my stuff safe and the moment the fight is over head to Benigno to collect my winnings, I'll meet you back upstairs once I've cleaned off."
Satisfied that the tramp-in-training would be safe inside the Hole, Cid turned round again and completed the last few steps to the door. He stepped over the threshold from the icy night-sky's blanket into the festering wave of 'heat, mead and bleed'. Ensuring Get was close behind him he snaked his way through the pressing mass of people that had assembled in the Hole. Small fight my eye...fat bastard just wants me out of the way quick, doesn't want me collecting the head of his favourite champion He thought as he squeezed up to the bar, feeling the safe weight of Get clinging on to the back of his cloak. The bartender looked up to see his face and jabbed a thumb towards the back exit into the Hole. Cid tipped his hat and they moved out from the close throng of drinkers and gamblers down the tiny, cold stone steps into the black heart of the Pit.
The heat down here was sweltering. The main arena lay dead ahead, it's high chain fences stretching up to the ceiling and down into the arena. Surrounding it on all but one side was the rows and rows of benches, far back close to the walls and roof, with enough seating for hundreds of customers. Between them and the fence were the first few of the gamblers, vying for the perfect spot or ensuring they had enough money. It mattered not, as soon as the majority of the crowds had swarmed down to watch the first fight there would be barely room to breathe wherever you stood. Giant stone corridors lay to either side of Cid and Get, and it was down the smaller of these that they walked, turning at the end of it they were met by a large wooden door with a smaller gate set into it. Cid turned once again to face the orphan.
"Right, this is where I leave you. Don't come looking for me here after the fight or they'll drag you in here. Just keep hold of everything and go straight back up those steps."
As he spoke the hunter began to remove everything unnecessary, until he was left with just his sword, his knife, his net and his chain vest. The orphan was dwarfed inside the man's hat and cloak, and he held the unloaded crossbow with fear. But he listened carefully to Cid's words and smiled.
"I'll be fine! You jest worry about killin' them! Good luck, Cid, I'll be right there at the edge!"
The orphan punched his fist into the air and gave a mock battlecry before scurrying away down the stone corridor towards the arena. Cid chuckled and checked himself, everything was ok. He hammered on the door and was soon greeted by a pair of eyes poking through the gate.
"If yeh're a fighter, state yer bluddy name!"
"Cid, I'm here by arrangement with Benigno himself."
The gate rattled open as soon as Cid mentioned his name, and he was quickly ushered into the gloom. Stooping under the low gate he crept cautiously inside.
"Sooo, you're the fabled monster 'unter is yeh? Well, you go down that hall there and yoose can go sit with the other monsters."
The short, gangly man wearing filthy leather who had opened the door pointed a gnarled finger down a curved pathway and went back to manning the door. Cid walked through this small antechamber and strode down the corridor. Stepping out into perhaps the most well-lit room in the entire Pit he was greeted by the hefty figure of one of Benigno's bodyguards.
"Diego, down. He is a friend of ours!"
The muscular guard dog stepped aside to let Cid pass, this was clearly Benigno's reception room for any fighters of well-reknown, and Cid almost felt honoured that he had been ushered through this entrance instead of stuck with the usual house fighters. The fat Tilean grabbed Cid in an embrace and swiftly delivered a kiss to each of his cheeks before releasing him.
"I am verrah excited about this fight Cid, you are going to give us a show, yes?"
"If you wanted a show you'd have used one of your own fighters, I was under the impression you wanted me to kill him?"
Benigno's face fell, he waved a hand at Cid before glancing down at his weaponry.
"I see you 'ave bought your own sword. Feel free to use anything you desire!"
Cid was shown to a rack containing any number of peculiar weaponry, the majority of which Cid had never seen let alone had a clue how to use without harming himself. He did however spy a small, steel buckler with a heavy boss. And he swung his net over his shoulder like a cape and raised it with the now-free hand.
"You know me, Benny, quick and simple."
"Of course, of course. Well, the pre-fight entertainment will shortly be over. So be ready to go get bloody. And I shall see you shortly my old friend. Give them hell!"
The fat man pushed Cid gently towards the other corridor leading out of the room with a hearty smile on his face. He then turned and left the room followed by the two walking muscles who kept him safe. Cid sighed and turned to walk down the corridor, the fight wouldn't be over quick enough, why can't it start already? The bounty hunter left that corridor and was presented with a small chamber, lined with low stone benches. A gutter ran around the edge to collect any sprayed blood or other liquids the waiting pit fighter's might eject. A battered and leather bound sack of sand hung from a rope in one corner, Cid swung a heavy punch into it and was surprised by how similar to a human body it felt. The sack danced slowly on it's rope in response. He removed his supple leather gloves and checked his boot laces were secure, tightening his belt he ensured his mail shirt wasn't caught on any undergarments. He then shoved his hand into a trough containing cold water and splashed plenty over his head, hair and face before placing his gloves back on.
Satisfied that he wasn't going to have an unfortunate accident inside the arena he began to throw gentle punches against the sack, removing his mind from the screams and shouts from above and around him, he slowly focused his mind on the fight ahead and removed all doubt and panic from his mind. It wasn't long before he heard a loud bell clanging and the steel grate situated on one wall of the chamber began to rattle open. Cid collected his armaments and jogged around the room once, he then turned and jogged gently down the sloping path into the arena, turning again when he reached the bottom he faced his opponent for the first time...
((OOC:
Pit Fighter
M-4 WS-36 BS-24 S-4 T-3 W-6 I-31 A-1 Dex-48 Ld-29 Int-31 Cl-28 WP-24 Fel-29
Skills: Strike Mighty Blow, Drive Cart, Scale Sheer Surface, Street Fighting.
Trappings: Helm, Mail Shirt, Greataxe.
Cid
M WS BS S T W I A Dex Ld Int Cl WP Fel 5 42* 46* 3 4 8 32 1 36 33 39 31 31 31
Skills: Follow Trail, Shadowing, Silent Move - Rural, Silent Move - Urban, Specialist Weapon - Entangling, Strike Mighty Blow, Marksmanship - Crossbow, Scale Sheer Surface, Prepare Poisons (Herbal), Night Vision, Street Fighting.
Trappings: Shortsword, Weighted Net, Dagger, Chain Shirt (2ap chest and arms), Buckler (1ap all)
Round 1:
Both men are charging, Cid strikes first
Cid attacks, misses (62) Fighter attacks, misses (86)
Round 2:
Cid attacks, misses (64) Fighter attacks, misses (46)
Round 3:
Cid attacks, misses (76) Fighter attacks, misses (91)
Round 4:
Cid attacks, hits! (28) 4 Wounds to the head (-1 for helmet)
Fighter attacks, misses (97)
Round 5:
Cid attacks, misses (61) Fighter attacks, misses (43)
Round 6:
Cid attacks, hits! (32) Rolled a 6 to wound! Missed (67) 7 Wounds to the right arm rolled a 77 to critical against arm - right arm is now smashed and the artery severed, he has dropped his greataxe and is now taking 1 wound per round on the sudden death chart.
Fighter attempts to flee
Round 7:
Cid throws his net, hits! (33) Fighter fails his I roll (46) and becomes entangled Rolled a 28 for bleeding, he is still alive.
Round 8:
Cid attacks, automatic hit to chest Rolled a 5 to Wound, 12 wounds to chest Pit Fighter is dead, fool! /OOC))
As Cid set eyes upon his target he quickly remembered why he didn't do this more often, across the dirt from him was a teen barely half his own age, wielding a greataxe almost as tall as he was. This child didn't deserve to die, but Cid would be doing him no favours by sparing him, not here, any other battlefield but here. The fighter's eyes looked as if he was about to cry as he saw the man paid to end his life, how did he stand a chance against a man! Someone old enough to fill their boots with nothing but foot rather than sock and piss. Cid gave a slow nod to the boy as they met in the middle of the side chamber, they turned as one to face the arena and both strode fearlessly out into the full view of the crowds. Cid stopped on one side of the arena and let the youth carry on walking until he realised he was alone and snapped round to face Cid, fear overcoming the tears in his eyes.
The crowd had begun to build up, and there was the loud rumbling drone of the great many voices all weighing up odds and contemplating their bets. Some were shouting loudly across the crowds trying to reach distant friends or to catch the attention of the bookies who wandered throughout the throngs. The noise was all silenced quickly however as Benigno strode up into his canvas booth that overhung the arena slightly, and was the only break in the chain fence that stretched from floor to ceiling. Waving his hands in mock appreciation of the few cheers, claps and boos that followed his ascent, the pit lord quickly assembled order before clicking his fingers and pointing a finger at his throat. Cid's sharp eyes saw the former thief master mumble a cantrip under his breath, but to the casual customer or dimwitted arena barbarian it must seem as if Benigno spoke with the voice of a god.
"Welcome, my esteemed patronage!! I 'ope that tonight your pockets leave fuller than they came, although obviously not too full, aheheh...First up tonight, we have a familiar face, especially to some of those down below hehehe...A man some call 'invincible', he is said to execute the very air as he walks! I give you, to my left hand side, Cid!!"
As the lie-monger spread his blather upon the crowd, Cid felt the rush of adrenaline that usually kicked in halfway through an unscheduled fight, a shame he thought, the boy opposite him would probably not even reach that point...As Benigno roared his name, and the viewers screamed in appreciation, the Bounty Hunter held his sword aloft with both hands and circled slowly on the spot to face the crowd...better to put on a good show, people tended to empty their pockets faster for a sure hero.
"And the terrible beast that faces him, can you see the bloodlust in his eyes ladies and gentlemen!? Has Cid finally met his match against this most despicable of horrors? Should we be trembling in our boots at the evil these fighters will unleash upon the arena tonight!? I give you, to my writing hand side..."
Benigno quickly leant forwards whilst an aide whispered a name in his ear. Cid watched the kid as he stood, quaking.
"Ahem!...I give you, Jericho!!"
The young boy gave a bestial howl to the sky that chilled even Cid's bones, and he swung his greataxe in a wide arc with one arm, tucking it neatly under his elbows behind his back he brought it round and down in a mighty blow that cracked the rock beneath it. The axe lodged fast in the ground the youth tore off his shirt sleeves and held aloft for the crowd to see, two mighty rippling tree trunks where his arms should be, his fists clenched tightly towards the heavens as he flexed and threw punches to the air whilst circling on the spot. The somewhat silent crowd gave a mighty roar at such a spectacle, and even Cid was slightly taken aback by the kid's confidence, as Benigno shushed the crowds once again the younger fighter hefted his axe up with two solid wrists.
"If everybody's bets are placed, begin when ready boys..."
The two fighters gave each other the duellist's gaze as they did a slow circle towards each other, suddenly their eyes locked and both men rushed forwards at once. The youth was fast, his legs were strong and young, but the mighty weight of the greataxe slowed him down. They reached each other in the center of the ring, but whereas the boy had to skid to a halt and shift the weight of the axe into a deadly waist-high blow, Cid arrived seconds earlier, and quickly departed the space which was neatly twain. Darting underneath the axehead he sent a quick slash at the kid's face, more of a feint than an aimed blow, and it worked...sending Jericho reeling backwards under the backswing of his own weapon.
Cid quickly leapt forwards for the next strike, darting towards the fighter's outstretched flank. The boy was nimble however, and dropped the head of his axe to the ground, using the length of the haft to launch himself into the air and backwards, landing neatly and swinging the axe back the other way in a diagonal upwards slash that Cid only just dodged. He would have to play this fight a bit safer, stay light on his feet and too close for him to use that big old axe properly.
Seizing the first strike again, Cid dived forwards underneath his opponent's defences, the youth quickly countered to the front by hoisting the haft of his axe in front of his head and chest. But this was not Cid's plan, and he did a neat spin around Jericho's muscular shoulder and struck the youth a concussive blow to the back of his skull with the pommel of his shortsword. Jericho staggered forwards from the sudden impact, quite clearly almost brained by the attack. He flailed out wildly with the axe, but his grip slipped as he nearly fell onto his knees, and the axe head sailed clearly past Cid's head.
Stepping away from the downed man neatly, Cid dropped low into a defensive stance and allowed the other fighter to stand. Jericho turned, shifting the weight of his axe around easily in his hands, One hit of that thing and I'm out... Cid thought, as he jealously eyed the young lad's biceps. If I'd looked like that when I was his age, I'd be moving mountains by now... The bounty hunter had little time to speculate however, as the youth snarled at Cid and beckoned him to try again, blood now pouring from his nose and crusting on his upper lip. The two fighters closed yet again, and this time the flash of steel was near instant, before they were both back to back again, neither having scored a blow.
Time to get dirty... Cid span on his heels and drew his shortsword back, it's tip pointing towards Jericho, who had taken this as a sign of a feint and readied his greataxe high for another collision...Cid seized the opportunity and leapt low underneath his guard, he quickly shifted his weight off balance onto his left foot as if to sidestep round his opponent, then changed the grip on his shortsword into a secure two-hand as he struck deep and fast with a deadly, diagonal hacking blow straight upwards into the boy's armpit, feeling his blade bite more than air, Cid swiftly pulled backwards as he launched himself away from Jericho and his axe's blade. The lad gave a terrific bellow of pain as a dense, red mist sprayed from the wound, the greataxe clattered to the ground as the boy tried in vain to staunch the bleeding with his remaining good hand, the right arm now resembling a bloody joint, barely connected by anything more than exposed muscle tissue and a few remaining scraps of skin.
The bleeding was intense, Cid had struck true with the shortsword, and now he had to finish it. He took a step towards the youth cautiously, as the crowd about them roared in ecstasy at the sight of so much blood spilled. Jericho flung his eyes up to see Cid advancing, the bounty hunter could see true terror where defiance had been before, and he did the only thing logical to a man in such a crippled position. He span around and tried to flee away from the hunter in the opposite direction, without a care for where he was heading. Cid acted quickly and threw his sword into the soft, cracked dirt of the arena floor, he took another step after the boy as he unslung the net from over his shoulder and launched it at Jericho's retreating, bloodsoaked torso. The heavy weights did their job and within moments the fighter had slammed to the floor, completely entangled in his enemy's web. He struggled and flailed, but with only one arm working and the other rapidly losing blood, he simply painted a red smear across the ground. Cid collected his shortsword and advanced on the struggling figure. Be at peace... He placed a hefty boot onto Jericho's neck, before sinking the blade deep into his chest. The boy shuddered, before dropping still, his dead eyes already welling up with blood. Cid withdrew his sword and raised it high in the air to the raucous shouts and screams from around him, he turned to face Benigno in his booth, and performed a low, sweeping bow. The pit lord got to his feet off his velvet ottoman and flicked his fingers towards his throat once again, not waiting for the crowd to subside he roared.
"We have a winner!! However...However, it seems our intrepid young slayer has forgotten the rule of the Hole!"
Benigno looked down to lock Cid with his gaze...
"Challengers don't get an easy ride, they either ride it to the finish, or they ride with Charon"
Sneaky bastard... Cid mused, as the crowd erupted about him. I bet this was his plan all along!
Fight 2
Cid lost no wounds in the first fight, and he has retrieved his net from the corpse of the previous fighter.
Half-Orc Pit Fighter
M:4, WS: 43, BS: 25, S: 4, T: 3, W: 7, I: 30, A: 1, Dex: 29, Ld: 29, Int: 24, Cl: 29, WP: 29, Fel: 18
Skills: Street Fighting, Strike Mighty Blow, Frenzied Attack, Dodge Blow.
Trappings: Leather armour (1ap chest, legs), Spear.
Round 1:
Both fighters charge, Orc strikes first (Spear, +10I for first round)
Orc attacks, misses (59) Cid attacks, misses (61)
Round 2:
Cid attacks, misses (78) Orc attacks, misses (70)
Round 3:
Cid attacks, hits! (29) 5 to wound, body (5+3-3+1-1ap), Orc dodges...failed! Orc is at 2/7 Wounds
Orc attacks, hits! (36) 1 to wound, left arm (1+4-4+1-2ap), Cid remins at 8/8 Wounds
Cid wins the round!
Round 4:
Cid attacks, misses (93) Orc attacks, misses (54)
Round 5:
Cid attacks, hits! (42) 4 to wound, right arm (4+3-3+1), Orc dodges...failed! Orc is at 0/7 Wounds 68 to critical (+3), that's a 16 (Dead, Dead, Dead!)
/OOC))
To screams and cries of furor and bloodlust from those assembled, Cid spun to face the entry channel. The heavy iron portcullis that sat between the two fighter entrances had begun to slowly rumble open. With a bestial scream a horrid figure with mottle grey/green skin and lank black hair rushed through the opening towards him, the smell of blood invading it's nose. It clutched an oversized javelin in it's hands, the heavy barbed iron head of which looked lethal. Cid dropped low and raised the buckler to cover his midriff and chin, his right arm swept behind him to point his shortsword at the floor near his ankle. The hunter locked the half-orc with a solid stare as it tore away from the gate opening, across the arena towards him with it's spear held low. When it was little more than the spear's length away from him Cid sprung, leaping up and over the spear and preparing to deliver a deathblow to the beast. A tiny spark of intelligence twinged inside the creature's warped mind however, and it suddenly skidded to a halt and thrust it's spear upwards, in Cid's way. Twisting his body suddenly in mid-air he was able to fall, rather ungracefully, onto the floor beside the half-orc in a dusty heap.
The beast came at him as soon as he touched the floor, jabbing wildly in every direction possible whilst an evil cry escaped it's throat. Cid rolled away from the blows and nearly tangled himself in his own net, quickly tearing it off and throwing it to the ground as he rolled to his feet. Spinning to face the oncoming, lunging beast. He prepared himself to strike as the spear loomed towards him, seeing the oppurtunity he dashed forwards, taking the brunt of the blow into the chain armour of his shoulder he pushed the half-orc back, as the creature's grip on the spear slipped Cid dropped into a sliding tackle, thrusting the spear into the ground he leapt up and delivered a devastating thrust into the goblinoid's abdomen.
Blue-green blood of a sickening shade spilled out across the arena floor, but it did nothing to phase the creature which retrieved it's spear from the ground and continued to deliver manic thrusts at Cid yet again. The two combatants traded glancing blows for a few more moments, before once again Cid saw the monster's mind snap, the gore in it's eyes was gone, all anger seemed drained, the stabs it was throwing towards Cid were now more instinct than rage. All remorse for the ending of life left Cid and he roared, a great bellowing that seemed to rock the chamber from stone floor to crumbling ceiling, he tapped the spear out of his way effortlessly with his sword and launched himself up high. Grasping his sword with both hands he brought it down in a double-handed axe like grip with all his weight behind it. The battle heated steel blade struck the half-orc in the arm with the momentum of a stampede of cattle, and it didn't stop there, Cid's sword travelled neatly through the upper-arm and shoulder, ripping skin, bone and armour alike.
The bounty hunter's feet were both firmly on the ground, his shortsword held outstretched ahead of him, the blood-stained blade filling the air where the half-orc's chest cavity once had. The former gladiator lay crumpled at Cid's feet, almost in two halves. It's spear lay forgotten a couple of feet away. Feeling his victory in the howls of the crowd, he relaxed, his arms dropping to his side and his sword 'tinging' onto the hard ground. He hefted it one last time to hack the beast's head from shoulders. He lifted it by the hair with his right hand and spun like a champion discus thrower, launching the bloody globe across the arena where it sailed over the leather-canopy of Benigno's booth and landed with a squelchy 'thump' upon the ottoman. Cid turned away from the center of the arena and began to walk towards the exit, he was done...
"Cid! Ciiid!...CID!!"
The bounty hunter turned his sweaty brow to face the bright-eyed orphan as he scurried over to him. Having been the first upstairs, the hunter was now calmly sat in the empty tavern, seated on a stool at the bar sipping a large, frosty mug of ale.
"Heya Get, how much did we make?
The boy hefted a large, jingling pouch onto the bar beside Cid and grinned.
"Teh fuck's if I know! But it be more gold than I've ever seen!!"
Cid smiled and took another hefty swig of his pint.
"Well I'll count it later, first off I guess I need to pay my squire."
The bounty hunter reached into the pouch and took out two shiny gold coins, he then deposited them into the orphan's outstretched hands.
"Now don't forget your brothers, and get out of here before someone robs you."
The child's eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of his head, he dumped Cid's belongings on the stool beside him, and then roared his thanks as he sped from the tavern to go buy him and the other orphans a breakfast fit for the Emperor. Cid went back to his ale with a gentle smile playing across his lips. He dragged the pouch in front of him and began to slowly count his winnings...
((Gogogo Wolfman!!))
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Post by Brad the Inhaler on Sept 16, 2008 3:24:54 GMT
As the first fingers of sunlight began to creep in through the lonely window of the tavern and caused the surreal, glinting swirls of dust that signaled dawn, the bartender of the Hole dunked the cleaning rag in his hands into the bucket of cold, soapy water that stood behind the bar. He slapped it onto the counter and began to wash away the last night's spillages and stains, he soon hit a snag however in the form of Cid, slumped heavily on the bar clutching a tankard with the now still remnants of a warming ale, the few empties that lay besides it, compliments of Benigno of course, hinted to him how hard it was going to be to rouse the bounty hunter. He gathered the empty glasses and dropped them on top of a pile that was growing in a bucket at his feet, ready to be cleaned as soon as one of the serving maids arrived. He then turned back to face Cid's slumbering form Down...and out for the count the bartender mused, then chuckled at the irony of it considering his furor in the arena last night. The number of patrons who had staggered up the stairs merrily heading for the exit, only to stop and buy Cid a drink, had given him an idea of his success. He clasped an icy cold hand upon the bounty hunter's shoulder and shook gently but firmly.
"Hey champ! Rise and shine!"
Cid's head shot up, then fell back onto his arms with a groan.
"Gimme somethin' cold..."
The man's words were barely audible, yet the bartender was used to inebriated growls. And he soon filled a glass with water from the wash bucket down beneath him, careful to scrape any sudsy scum from the top. He set it down in front of Cid who took it up and downed it straight away. The bounty hunter belched before sliding off the stool and standing up uneasily.
"'Fraid you've gotta leave boy, we close up for a couple of hours after dawn so's we can get the place ship shape for the morn'"
Cid stretched groggily and nodded slowly in understanding as he did so. He blinked a few times before dropping two shillings on the counter which the bartender hastily pocketed. Cid gathered his belongings and finished the last dregs of his warm ale. Giving a curt yet slight bow to the tender he turned and left the tavern.
Stepping out into the cold early morning air Cid gave a shudder and grimaced, he reminded himself never to drink again before stumbling across the street to the horse trough. He dropped his hat and cloak to the floor and grasped the edges of the trough, pulling his body up into a handstand he dunked his entire head into the trough of icy water. His legs straightened as the chill ran through his body and he righted himself again, pulling his head out he gave a roar and shook his head fiercely. Running a hand through his greasy blonde hair he blinked away the water and managed a weak smile. It's good to have feeling back again... He stooped to pick up his cloak and threw it about his shoulders before setting his hat down neatly upon his head. He now had plenty of money...blood money, but just money to him, and be damned if he was going back in the pit anytime soon. So he set off to find himself the first proper breakfast he'd eaten in perhaps a month...
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