Old World Monsters Act One: Of Pagans

[Marcao]

His attention was not upon the other wielder of magic. As such he did not notice when Manfred gracefully stepped off the building and slowed his fall before landing. He did feel the familiar tug of magic near him but he did not so much as twitch. His attention had been at that moment on the guards nearby as he offered his help. It was when Manfred placed his hand on the ground and began to repair his creation that his attention was drawn to him.

There is power there.

Perhaps. He is far beneath us however; his stunt back in the Inn spoke volumes about his intelligence.

One does not have to be intelligent to be dangerous.

Truth resides firmly in those words. Keep an eye on him lest his foolishness drag you down with him.

“Of courseâ€

[LadyTevar]

The owl, for her part, returned Francesco's gaze with equal interest, having fluttered a little upon hearing his distinct accent. The tone of his voice, the stresses on certain words, those told her clearly he was a native Italian, from one of the southern cities. What was he doing so far from home? He was not dressed as a mercenary.

Could he be a pilgrim like me?
Shapechange and find out?
No... I don't know them well enough...
You just spoke to a wounded stranger and revealed yourself. Why not shapechange?
... He was wounded! He needed help!
Good excuse.
.....
... They're both rather handsome, tho.

For some reason the owl was suddenly flustered, fluttering her wings like a noblewoman would a fan.

[The Silence and I]

Another guard made his way quickly to John and Visira. "I have some training with apothecary work. You two seemed to be in the thick o' the fightin' and took some hits. I'd suggest you let me look at 'em before they begin to rot eh?"

John is slow to react, as his attention had been outside the town.
"hmm? Oh, sorry, I was distracted--"

"Gather the wounded and I will do what I can for them."

--yes, yes I suppose I should check it. I doubt I'll have much need of your skill though, I am fairly certain I have suffered a bruise and nothing more. Tell you what, Visira--while I'm keeping this man busy you can talk to Francisco? That way we can accomplish more in the same time."

Continuing in such a way that would make refusing his idea require an awkward interruption John slings an arm around the shorter guard's shoulder and leads the two of them over to the other side of the gate where one of the mounted torches provides light and there is a little space away from the nearby activity.

"It's my left shoulder that took a blow. I think it is fine, but you never know for sure." He shrugs slightly as he says this and then begins removing his upper garments, starting with his shield, still slung over a shoulder, and going through the several layers--leather and cloth traveling clothes, slightly damaged chainmail shirt, woolen padding and finally a linen shirt beneath that. His chest now bare it is apparent John was a very powerful man in his prime and he has aged well. Through this process he maintains small talk--complaining about the price he had to pay for the mail shirt and how if he had the time he'd have made it himself, or how he misses the silken undershirt he used for several years before it was stolen (it was a gift)--the linen just isn't the same--but once he is ready for inspection he quiets down.

His arms sport the many scars of a seasoned mercenary and a few adorn his chest as well but there is no cut on his shoulder. The skin appears reddened and there are signs of a bruise forming under and around this, but all in all his shoulder looks pretty good considering. John seems pleased with its condition and sports a faint relieved smile.

[Marcao]

There was something odd about the little bird. A few moments later, the owl fluttered her wings in a gesture that had a deeper meaning than he could readily perceive. Per's condition was apparent and even with his skill he did not think he could afford to wait for long.

[Italian]"Do not worry little bird, I will help your friend in a moment."[/Italian] He said. There was something about the way the Owl rested atop Per. Still, a part of him rejected that the two could be directly associated. His left hand moved reaching for the crucifix which circled his neck. The marksmanship on the crucifix was almost without peer, it had belonged to Cipriana Mancini herself once. His left hand held the crucifix in his hand as he reached into himself and weaved Life.

There was no necessity for him to hold the crucifix in his hand, but he found comfort in doing so. It was in many ways a physical representation of his faith both in himself and God above. The tapestry of Life was formed and a few weaves of power reached out and settled against Per. In this manner with his power touching Per, he could ascertain the extent of the damage and how to exactly proceed. No two creatures were alike, even similarly placed wounds were rarely alike.

After he had identified what Per needed he finished the weave and allowed his power to flow fully into his target. It was a trickle at first that then became a flood of power which sought to engulf Per in God's radiance. Under that love, even the most terrible of wounds could become little more than memories.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred could feel the pretension oozing off of the other wizard. It seemed to positively drip from him. As he sat down, he realized he was bleeding. That wouldn't do. He did not want to be in debt to the other mage. In fact, he would make it a point not to give the arrogant man the satisfaction He took off the breastplate and pauldrons he wore and looked at the wound. Deep, but still just a flesh wound. He gathered the blood, used magic to purify it, removing everything but the water, then used it to clean the wound. Then, he wrapped the wound with the field dressing. It would stitch it when he was done. When you live as long as he had, one picks up a few tricks.


The other wizards, Francesco was his name, probably would not deign to talk to him until he forced the issue. Arrogant Italian fool. Manfred in his present state had none of the caring for others, even paul, that he did in his usual state. His other personality. But even now he was aware that he at least needed others, if only to use them.

Still, the crises was averted. He closed his eyes, and slipped into his own mindscape. And there, standing just outside the circle of consciousness, was the other Manfred

"You have been free long enough" the good, if loony manfred said to his calm, sociopathic alter ego. "It is time for you to relinquish control"

"I think not... I like the waking world. I have been caged too long"

"If you do not step back, I will be forced to harm you"

"And harm yourself in the process?"

"If need be Manfred, in order to make sure you do not harm the others for your own purposes. I will pay the price"

"Then so be it"

"Manfred acted first, for this to work he would need elements... He had yet to actually unlock the power of counterspelling, which is what the initial meditation was for...but this was a mindscape, his imagination was in power here. The two wizards stood on opposite rocky outcroppings surrounded by ocean...

And the good Manfred was poised to cast a spell.

Outside... Manfred appeared to be in a strained and indeed painful meditation

[LadyTevar]

There was something odd about the little bird. A few moments later, the owl fluttered her wings in a gesture that had a deeper meaning than he could readily perceive. Per's condition was apparent and even with his skill he did not think he could afford to wait for long.

[Italian]"Do not worry little bird, I will help your friend in a moment."[/Italian] He said. There was something about the way the Owl rested atop Per. Still, a part of him rejected that the two could be directly associated.

The owl bobbed her head in acknowledgment, flutter-hopping off Pers and over to Agrilos so Francesco could examine Pers better. The touch of magic was unexpected.

He... He's a MAGI?!
He's praying... he's a Church Magi.
..... unlike me, is that what you are implying?
When was the last time you went to Confession?
.........................


Maybe I should properly introduce myself...?
Why would he want to meet you?
..............
Oh, do as you wish. Not that he's going to be interested.

As Francesco tranced, healing Pers worst wounds, the little owl side-stepped away from Agrilos to give herself room. The heart-shaped face bowed, the golden-brown eyes closed, and magic whispered around her like a faint dust-devil, funneling up around her, obscuring her as it grew to human height.

Whent he magic faded, a slight figure in pilgrim's garments and a rucksack stood where the russett owl had been. Her cloak's hood was lain back, her hair dark in the moonlight, her skin dusky from the Italian sun. The eyes, when they opened to look at the three men, were the owl's, golden brown like honey. The only sound she made was when Francesco completed his prayer. {Italian} "Amen.{Italian}

[rhoenix]

[quote="Marcao"][Italian]â€

[Charon]

Many of the injured were being treated in a nearby home while the fires in town were being fought with water from the new moat. Bleeding was slowed and wounds were treated as best they could, but at the moment things did not look good for many of the wounded.

---------------

The guard looked closely at John's wounded shoulder. "Hmm, it looks alright. I'd best check it though, don't want you to be sporting a broken limb without knowing it." The man slipped off both of his gloves and moved to touch John's exposed skin.

---------------

Inside Manfred's mind the darker personage only smiled as Manfred prepared himself. "Poor boy. You still don't seem to understand that you can never beat me. Well, not without killing yourself."

The other Manfred spoke a word of power and Manfred's rocky outcropping shook as the sound of earth cracking filled the air as Manfred's pedestal cracked mid-way up it's base. The rock began to shift as the other Manfred only laughed again. "That's your problem! You never listened to her when she told you about economy of power!" The other Manfred's eyes gleamed as his grin grew far too large for his face. "I suppose I should thank you for that though. I wouldn't be nearly as free if you had."

[Marcao]

The flow of power which surged from him slowed and then ended, his eyes resting on Per for a moment longer before they looked elsewhere attracted by the familiar sensation of magic near him. He did not turn his body but looked over his shoulder the owl obfuscated from his sight by a funnel of air. He blinked, his eyes transfixed on the spectacle as it occurred. When the magic faded his eyes drank in the sight of the pilgrim. Everything from her hair to her very skin seemed like a painting made by an Italian master of his art.

She is lovely.

She is dangerous. You should be wary of her.

“Ever the skeptic?â€

[LadyTevar]

"Gratzi," the owl-woman answered, blushing slightly and dropping her eyes as both men thanked and complimented her at the same time.

They must be battleshocked to think you lovely
... will you allow me no vanity?

She waited patiently as the Italian magi healed Agrilos, and then nodded as Francesco mentioned returning to the town. {Italian}"If I may, I would join you, gentlemen. This night has shown me the dangers of traveling further." Her voice was musical, her accent now placing her as coming from near Genoa, a city-state on the western coast, rather than Venice on the east, or Milan or Trento closer to the great Alps. "I am the Lady Jhelian Elsbeth Tahalshia, of Genoa." {Italian} She courtsied to both men, although her golden-brown eyes lingered shyly upon Francesco, even as his lingered upon her.

[The Village Idiot]

"Gather the wounded and I will do what I can for them."

--yes, yes I suppose I should check it. I doubt I'll have much need of your skill though, I am fairly certain I have suffered a bruise and nothing more. Tell you what, Visira--while I'm keeping this man busy you can talk to Francisco? That way we can accomplish more in the same time."

Taking the cue from John, Visira excused himself and began heading for Francisco. Seeing that he had already left the town to care for Per and Agrilos his attention turned back to the town its self. There were still fires burning and the wouned were being gathered in a house near by. Not wanting to draw attention to his lack of injuries he headed for the guards putting out the fires.

Shouting to the nearest guard, "Who's in charge of this? How many able men do we have to fight this blaze?"

[Comrade Tortoise]

Many of the injured were being treated in a nearby home while the fires in town were being fought with water from the new moat. Bleeding was slowed and wounds were treated as best they could, but at the moment things did not look good for many of the wounded.

---------------

The guard looked closely at John's wounded shoulder. "Hmm, it looks alright. I'd best check it though, don't want you to be sporting a broken limb without knowing it." The man slipped off both of his gloves and moved to touch John's exposed skin.

---------------

Inside Manfred's mind the darker personage only smiled as Manfred prepared himself. "Poor boy. You still don't seem to understand that you can never beat me. Well, not without killing yourself."

The other Manfred spoke a word of power and Manfred's rocky outcropping shook as the sound of earth cracking filled the air as Manfred's pedestal cracked mid-way up it's base. The rock began to shift as the other Manfred only laughed again. "That's your problem! You never listened to her when she told you about economy of power!" The other Manfred's eyes gleamed as his grin grew far too large for his face. "I suppose I should thank you for that though. I wouldn't be nearly as free if you had."

The kind-spirited Manfred Spread his arms and dove, diving toward the ocean below with a speed made all the more rapid by his pushing the air in front of him away. He hit the water and combining air and water magic, pulled oxygen from the surrounding water and from the surface to pull around his head and provide him with air.

Once underwater, he had a trick up his sleeve. He distorted the water, creating layers of different temperatures to shift his sillouette and make himself more difficult to target.

Now to attack....

[The Silence and I]

The guard looked closely at John's wounded shoulder. "Hmm, it looks alright. I'd best check it though, don't want you to be sporting a broken limb without knowing it." The man slipped off both of his gloves and moved to touch John's exposed skin.

John is still looking at his shoulder when the guard says this and he does not seem to see the man moving to touch him. The man's words inspire him to reach over with his right hand and start feeling his shoulder with it, cutting off the guard's motion to do the same.

"It feels pretty solid. You know, I haven't got your skill but I have learned what a break feels like--I've given many and taken a few after all--and this ain't one."

He looks over at the man after saying this, still feeling his shoulder and moving it around, and asks him: "May I go then? I'm sure there are worse off than I and I'm taking up your time."

[Charon]

The other Manfred pursed his lips as he looked into the water. "Damn, it's a shame that I can't manipulate water."

The other hopped off his ledge and slid down towards the water, extending his will into the water below him, which began to freeze. As the other Manfred landed on the new ice he leaned down and pressed his bare hand to the freezing cold ice and spoke a few words of power, slowly more and more water began to freeze.

-------------------------

The guard looked John over once as he looked to his own arm and then let out a "Bah!".

The man quickly reached out and grabbed at John's upper arm. The man quickly moved his other hand over and started pressing at the wound. A few seconds later the man began to look very confused, and in bewilderment he looked up at John. He was about to speak when his eyes glazed over. The man released John and took a few unsure steps back before he returned to normal. "Yeah, you're fine. You'll be sore for a long while, but you got lucky today."

-------------------------

Paul felt the same familiar chill that he had felt in the tavern go through him for an instant. He could swear that for an instant he was being watched by something far greater than he could comprehend, before the feeling was gone once again.

-------------------------

One of the guards, who had already removed his helmet, looked over to Visira. "This ain't too bad in here sir, we've got plenty o' men to fight this blaze. Though I begin to worry 'bout the one outside." The fires outside the town were sparse for the amount of land that had been wiped clean, but there were still plenty around and though none were raging infernos many were rather large.

[The Silence and I]

The guard looked John over once as he looked to his own arm and then let out a "Bah!".

The man quickly reached out and grabbed at John's upper arm. The man quickly moved his other hand over and started pressing at the wound. A few seconds later the man began to look very confused, and in bewilderment he looked up at John. He was about to speak when his eyes glazed over. The man released John and took a few unsure steps back before he returned to normal. "Yeah, you're fine. You'll be sore for a long while, but you got lucky today."

John spends several moments staring at the man as this occurs and then his face lightens and he answers: "Yeah, that I apparently did."

This said he gathers his items and walks across the gateway to where he left the wheellocks. Once there he dresses himself and cleans his sword before sheathing it at his side. He tucks the still loaded pistol into his belt and leaves the other guns and his shield leaning against the palisade.

Next he sits down and looks up at the recently waxing moon, seemingly deep in thought or perhaps just zoning out for a bit.

[rhoenix]

Interesting though the owl-turned-woman was, she appeared to be fascinated in turn by Francisco. Smiling at both of them, he said "[Italian]Thank you for my life, and the life of Per.[/Italian]" to both of them, before sitting back down near where Per still lay unconscious.

[Marcao]

[Italian] “I am Francesco Mancini of Naples. I did not expect to meet a Tahalshia in my travels. [/Italian] He said.

His family had always prided knowledge and he had made every effort to remain informed. His studies had allowed him to pierce the veil that existed in mathematics, science, the arts and beyond. He was also fascinated by the bloodlines of his family as well as other well known Italian families. The Tahalshia’s were such a family although his information on that family in particular had proven to be less reliable than most.

His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before he turned and began to make his way back towards the town. His attention flickered towards the other mercenary as he sat near where the other one laid.

[Italian] “I will await you in the town, there are things that must be discussed about what transpired here. [/Italian]

He walked a bit more before he looked over his shoulder in order to make certain that the Lady Jhelian was still present.

[Italian] “You chose an auspicious time to make your appearance lady. We could use the help.â€

[rhoenix]

His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before he turned and began to make his way back towards the town. His attention flickered towards the other mercenary as he sat near where the other one laid.

[Italian] “I will await you in the town, there are things that must be discussed about what transpired here. [/Italian]

Looking up, Agrilos met Francisco's eyes, and nodded once before looking back at Per. "[Italian]When my friend revives, I will discuss tonight's events with you.[/Italian]"

[Cynical Cat]

Paul stopped and looked around. Nothing. He shivered and continued on his way up the stairs. He looked both ways. No sign of Manfred.

Then he looked down and saw him. "Master?" he called out.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The water had started to freeze, clever, but the other manfred had left himself exposed. Manfred could feel the strands of magic as they were being actively shaped, and with a quick motion, he did two things, he pulled the water in manfred's body toward the ice he was forming, and shoved the ice back up to form spikes to impale, or at least knock the wind from, the other manfred.



...

Manfred did not respond, though there was a pained look on his face, as if something was happening to him that he was trying to fight off.

[Cynical Cat]

"Master?" Paul called again, louder this time. "Is everything alright?"

[Charon]

The water had started to freeze, clever, but the other manfred had left himself exposed. Manfred could feel the strands of magic as they were being actively shaped, and with a quick motion, he did two things, he pulled the water in manfred's body toward the ice he was forming, and shoved the ice back up to form spikes to impale, or at least knock the wind from, the other manfred.

The other Manfred felt the tug of magic and quickly abandoned his own attack, weaving his own magic to counteract Manfred's. The other Manfred hit the ice hard and cracked his nose open, blood beginning to stain the white ice, but the other Manfred had acted quickly enough to stop himself from being impaled. "Ow, dat hurb." Muttered the copy through a broken nose. Muttering under his breath the copy slammed his fist into the no longer expanding ice and shattered it into hundreds of sharp shards which shot through the water in all directions.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The proper Manfred worked quickly to move the ebb and flow of water around him to shield him from the ice-shards, he pulsed water out away from him in a shockwave in the Evil copy's direction. If manfred was fast enough, it would deflect the shards, and then he could use the pulse in a counterattack by sending a wave up to grab and freeze the Copy's feet.


....

Manfred did not respond, save to speak in what seemed to be magical incantations. In two nearly silent voices, shouting back and forth, each at the other.

[Cynical Cat]

Paul knew a bad situation when he saw it. He turned and ran down the stairs, off the wall and away from Manfred.

[LadyTevar]

[Italian] “I am Francesco Mancini of Naples. I did not expect to meet a Tahalshia in my travels. [/Italian]

Jhelian could not deny the slight thrill of pleasure at being recognized, even as the inner voice pointed out cattily that it was the Family, not herself that he knew. Francesco and the other young man she rescued spoke of the town, and of waiting for 'Pers' to awaken. She noted that while Francesco had introduced himself, the other had yet to, although the unconcious one was referred to as 'Pers'.

(Francesco) walked a bit more before he looked over his shoulder in order to make certain that the Lady Jhelian was still present. [Italian] “You chose an auspicious time to make your appearance lady. We could use the help.â€