The City: One Year Later (Dark Fantasy Epic) (Open, Started) (Interest thread for applications!)

[DragonofDecay86]

"You want reasoning to join a rebellion that would see Upper District crumble and the mages put back on their leashes? Do you really need a stronger reason then that? If we are successful, Upper District will fall and the Nobles will no longer control anything. Mages will be placed back under the control of the Mage Academy. What better way to get revenge on Upper District for the injustices they put you and your companions through?" Damien asked, letting himself relax as he looked at Seven and Nine.

Echo walked calmly over to Damien before disappearing into his ring with a small flash of light emanating from the ring.

 

[Viking Incognito]

"We believe you." Seven said as Nine suddenly exited the tent.

"He is going to gather the others and make some preparations. I'll stay with you for now and you can make uses of me, but let me tell you; I am not some helpless villager joining you out of desperation. I am a revolutionary and a fugitive. The Remnants can be powerful allies or your worst enemies. But for now," he stuck out his hand for a hand shake. "we will be partners."

They shook and Seven looked satisfied. "So, do you have any questions? I have plenty of time since I don't sleep much."

 

[DragonofDecay86]

"Do you recall the names of those who experimented on you? If you can recall the names, I can send them to allies in the North... they've been tracking someone for quite a while and I believe that they can find the whereabouts of the mages who took you as children." Damien said calmly, sitting back in his chair. It was much easier to speak with someone he knew wasn't about to pull a dagger on him.

 

[Korten12]

Gemsi (Lorel)---

Gemsi stood up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going Gemsi?"

He turned his head. "I will be back. I will help you on your quest. But I have some... Things I must do before that." He opened the door and then vanished into thin air.

What is he planning, how can I make him on my side? He claims he will help me, but how can I be sure? thought Osaia.

 

[Viking Incognito]

Seven's eyes lit up when Damien pitched that idea. For the longest time, the Remnants hadn't even been thinking of vengeance and mostly just focused on surviving. now his mind was racing for any clues that might be helpful. But then his thoughts came to a grinding halt at one single idea.

Who am I? If they find the one who ran those experiments, will he know who we were? Will it change us if we find out? What if the family I had was still alive? NO, I have a family already. But still...we deserve our vengeance.

"While we were in the facility, there was a man who always gave orders to everyone else but never received any himself. He had long black hair and wore expensive clothing. We heard the guards talking about him a few times, and they always called him Archer. That is all I know. But, if you find him; you bring him to me."

 

[DragonofDecay86]

"Alright, I think we have a lead to get your revenge now. If I find this Archer man that you speak of, I will surely turn him over to you and your companions. Until then I suggest you go and get some rest, the remaining recruits are coming in now and we leave early in the morning." Damien said, standing up and walking over to the tent flap to hold it open for Seven. He would have allowed Seven to stay later and ask more questions but tomorrow was going to be a long day.

 

[Viking Incognito]

Seven made his way out of the tent and asked where to find the training facilities. He set up a few archery targets on the boundary of the camp to practice his magic. The motivation of this chance at revenge had lit a flame in his heart and he needed to burn of some energy.

He shot fire and electricity at the first two targets blowing them to pieces, then skewered the third one with spears of ice. He drew attention from some of the soldiers but he just kept going until he had to stop and catch his breath.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Damien sealed the flaps of his tent shut with magic, not wanting to be disturbed while he was resting. Damien walked over to his make-shift bed and collapsed in it and immediately fell asleep. His dreams were riddled with dark figures and nightmarish creatures that darted in and out of his vision. Even with turning in for bed early, Damien didn't get much sleep that night.

 

[Issurru]

It took most of the day, but Rumina finally reached O'la.
Damn, that trip seemed to have lasted forever, I need to find this guy quick before he decides to disappear on me
Rumina began to look around O'la, he noticed a gathering of people who seemed awestruck and amazed. He moved in closer to them to eavesdrop and hopefully get some information about what's been going on around here.

"They say that she's been resurrected! The great Goddess Osaia, she now walks in our presence once again. I think I could faint!"

What the hell!? Osaia, that can't be, I thought all those tales dad told me were just to get me to do the chores. They can't be real, can they? Rumina had a dumbfounded look on his face as he moved over to a bench, still within earshot, but a little bit further away so it wouldn't look as if he was listening in on their conversation.

Hmmm, this can't be right something is wrong here. How could one possibly resurrect a GODDESS!? someone's obviously used powerful magic here to fool all these people. Maybe he did it...Tayranthiel. If his power is "unfathomable" I guess it could be possible. But why would he do it, what does he have to gain by fooling all these people?

Rumina waited until they finished their conversation before getting up to leave. But as he was getting up he caught a glimpse of an older man staring at him from down the street. The man calmly walked away when he noticed Rumina had seen him.

Rumina quickly hopped off the bench and started chasing after the man, he tried moving through the crowd that had remained there but it was harder than he thought. Rumina quickly hopped onto a few crates and managed to climb onto the top of a building to see the man walk into a building some ways away from where he was standing. How in the heck could he move that fast? Rumina thought to himself as he jumped from building to building until he decided he was close enough to the man's house. So he dropped into an alleyway, brushed himself off and calmly went and knocked on the man's door thinking to himself Here goes nothing...

 

[Korten12]

Lorel ? Mind---

After his other self vanish, Lorel desperately looked around the whiteness but couldn?t find anything. He fell to the ground, too tired to carry on.

?What is this place..??

Gemsi (Lorel)---

Being smart, Gemsi concealed his magic aura. Above the building he sat, the stars above shining down. The endless stream of lights in the distance, behind, the shadow of the mountains overarched the district. It felt, strange. Gemsi had only seen parts of the City through Lorel and never for himself. For the Dark Blood God, he could see beauty where it was. The City, was trash, but during the night, the lights made it look like nothing you have ever seen before.

This City, will fall to ruin. Sad, but true. Osaia will make sure of that.

?What shall I do. I told Osaia I would be gone to do something. But? I would rather wait till the next day. Seeing as they will be asleep??

Gemsi laid back and closed his eyes, then opening them again to see the blue sky above, with barely any clouds. He didn?t dream that night, it was complete and utter blackness. Like it had been when he wasn?t in control of Lorel?s body.

The people below began to get up and move about the district. Next door he could see Forest District, where Lorel?s friends are. Now he was to make them a short visit.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Taggart (Tagg) Ross, Middle District

It was quite the usual morning for Tagg, he was in his shop behind his shop counter, occupied with his latest job: a large, polished oak grandfather clock that was brought in for repair by the inn-keeper of The Rusty Dagger. It was a beautiful piece of work, the face of the clock was covered in polished oyster, the hands and numbers were made of fine silver, and all of this was encased in crystal and inset into the wood. There was a crystal door framed in polished oak that displayed the intricately engraved silver pendulum. He was carefully cleaning a gear when he heard the familiar sound of the bell jingling above his shop door. Looking towards the door, but seeing no one, he scanned the shop for any sign of movement or entry and saw neither. Shrugging it off he returned to his work.

Thinking he was in the clear, the young boy crept out of the shadows, observing the man at the counter and careful not to make sudden movement. He slowly moved closer to his goal, a small gold pocketwatch in a glass display case. The boy carefully pried open the display case and slowly reached for the prize...

"Does your mother know you're out and about? Stealing?" Tagg spoke up, not looking away from his work.

"Awh, bollocks!" the boy shouted. "How did you even see me?"

"You're good Russ, but I'm older and wiser."

"You're not even old..." Russ whined. Russel, or Russ as he was called, sighed and closed the case. He trudged up to the counter and pulled himself onto it to sit down. Pointing at the piece Tagg was working on, the boy asked, "What's that?"

"This piece," he replied, "this piece is very important and has a much too complicated name that even I can't pronounce."

"Wow, really?!"

"Nah, it's just a regular gear. Looks fancy, but it can be easily replaced."

The door bell jingled again and both looked towards the door, then focused on the man entering.

"Ah, Tagg, you look awfully cheery this morning." The man said, smirking and gesturing at Tagg's scars.

Tagg just smiled and shook his head. "You know Ben, that joke is becoming very old, very quickly."

"I'm just givin' ya a hard time."

"You've been giving me a hard time ever since the first time you stepped through that door. You don't know what it's like having to look at your ugly mug every time we speak." Tagg grinned while Russ just sat there and snickered.

"Ha, funny. But now to business, I have something for ya, a job. Quick, easy, safe, good pay..."

"What might that job be?"

"Holding a par-" Ben looked at Russ who heaved a sigh and covered his ears. Ben smiled and continued, "Holding a particular item that should be of no particular interest to anyone except the particular someone who is dropping it off and the particular someone else that will be picking it up the next day."

"Sounds pretty shady...I don't see why not."

Spoiler: OOC

Hey guys, glad to be part of this RP (which is my first) and I can't wait to get this ball rolling.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

The next morning was a slow one for Tagg, feeling groggy after being awoken early by another one of his night terrors. All he could remember from it was fire, screaming, someone calling his name and that was when he woke up with searing pain in his scars.

"This morning could do with some tea..." He said as he set a kettle on the woodstove in his office (which he also used as an bedroom). Yawning and stretching, he made his way to his bookshelf and tilted the book titled 'Tumblers and Such' back until he heard a click. The bookshelf immediately shifted to the side only to reaveal a bare stone wall. Tagg then pried off a stone covering the cubbyhole that containing only a lever which he pulled. Suddenly the stones in the middle of his office floor shifted and moved until it formed a staircase. Tagg grabbed a mug and some tea leaves and prepared himself a hot cup. Sipping away, he ventured downstairs into the darkness only to return back up to get a torch.

"Almost forgot..." he said, then quickly descended down the stairs again. The stairs led to a stone hallway which came to a dead end. Tagg set the torch in a holder and looked at the bare stone wall then pressed on a stone in the the high left corner of the wall. The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed through the hall as the large tile Tagg was standing on began sinking into the floor. Lower and lower the tile sank until it reached far beneath the floor of the hallway and stopped to reveal a small room with a large door. Tagg set stepped off of the platform, walked up to the door and began searching through his pockets for the key.

"Key, where's the key...? Damn it to hell, I swear if left it upstairs...wait, here it is." He said as he slipped the key from the inside of his shoe and unlocked the door then pushed it open, revealing a large expansive cavern that was lit by torches on the walls. Rows of shelves occupied the space closest to the door, and it was these shelves that held items he kept for various clients. Unmarked boxes, crates, and packages were the majority of the items whilst others were antiques, jewelery or special order items. Tagg walked up and down these shelves, sipping his tea and taking mental inventory of everything. After seeing everything was in order he stepped into the center of the cavern and scanned the room, tables and workbenches where he tinkered and did most of his private work which consisted of crafting the special order items as well as a few inventions of his own.

"Well, all is in order here," Tagg confirmed and on that note, he turned towards the exit and proceeded to walk out but not before grabbing a package wrapped in cloth and tied off with rope. He walked through the door, shut it and locked it, stepped onto the platform with the package under his arm, pushed a stone tile and took the lift back up to the hallway. He grabbed the torch he left in the holder and walked down the hall and up the stairs into his office. Tagg placed the torch into its original holder and pushed the lever to close the staircase and reset the stone cover into place. He tilted 'Tumblers and Such' forward and watched in approval as the bookshelf slid back into place.

"I never get tired of that." Tagg said to himself cheerily as he stepped out of his office and into the shop. He set the package on the counter then walked to the shop door to unlock it. Sipping his tea still, he walked back behind the counter and sat down to continue his work on finishing the grandfather clock.

 

[Korten12]

Gemsi (Lorel)---

Hiding his magic aura, Gemsi teleported into Forest District, to a part where no one could see him appear. Now he was to find Lorel?s friends. Before he left his spot, he removed all the red markings from his body except for his eyes. Which were still red since he took over Lorel?s body. Going around the streets, he asked around acting innocent but got no responses. He knew they were here, but couldn?t find them.

Malina---

Together with Itsuka they left the Forest Inn, to take a stroll around Forest. When Forest Mages would storm O?la to kill Osaia was only a matter of time. On their trip, they hadn?t eaten much and decided to go the Forest Market. Which was a sight beheld on its own. Being in the center of the district, the Market was in one large tree and which extended its shops outwards onto its branches above.

It was complimented by the unique food choices they had. Using magic and the rich resources of Forest, they made unique foods that were in high demand all over the City. One of the food, they took bark and leaves, but with magic, mixed them into a nice stew that with its magic properties is said to give you lots of energy through the day. Another was just leaves, but they melted it down into a paste, which goes on the top of food, making the flavor of the food spike.

In the Market, there were various tables people could sit and eat their food. Once Malina and Itsuka were set with their food they sat down. Malina was fooling around with her food, as if in a trance, not speaking at all. Despite the loud noises around them, it was very silent on the table front. Itsuka didn?t speak either but she devoured her food, remembering what it was like to eat Upper Class food.

?You know, do you think we can win?? Malina spoke as she turned her head around to all of the chat of Osaia back and Forest going to fight her.

It wasn?t a question Itsuka wanted to respond to. ?Yeah, of course we can. Why not? I mean?? She was at a loss of words, she had no idea how they would win.

?They took Lorel, she took him. She blew us back like ragdolls. We couldn?t defend ourselves even had we tried. She?s a Goddess, we?re mortals.? Her own words were getting her more depressed.

Itsuka then got the courage to speak the right words. ?Come on, we will get him back. We can?t abandon him. We will, no we must, get him back.?

She noticed a smile appearing on Malina?s face. ?Yeah, your right.?

After they finished, and felt all refreshed, they stepped out of the Market and began to walk down the streets. Where Itsuka then told Malina what had happened the night before. About how Damien also got out of Eren Douab and now was forming an army to fight Upper District. Itsuka had told her about their time at Eren Douab and who Damien was. Malina was happy he was free, but not so sure about his idea. But then she got the idea.

?Why don?t we get his army to fight Osaia alongside us??

Middle District ? General Nobaqa---

Sitting in his tower, Nobaqa looked down at the rest of Middle District. Upper?s control over Middle was swift and strong. Nothing any faction could do could stop them. Upper District had much of its army in the Upper District Army Base, but many Elite Teams, such as Soul and Blade. Who where fresh students from the Magic Academy. They went on missions in the underground sects of Middle and took care of any resistance with no casualties on their own side

It is even rumored that Amelia before they even joined the New Upper District Army or NUDA, sent them on various missions. Even one to kill the infamous, Lorel. But Nobaqa didn?t care much for rumors, he was just happy they were under his control now and not anyone else?s.

Today was an interesting day. Today they would be collecting the taxes from shopkeepers and such. Nobaqa wouldn?t do it himself. He hates being in the dirty stench of Middle District. It may not be a Lower Class district but to him, it mind as well be. Getting off of his chair, he went down the tower and got together a team of Elite soldiers, in case of any resistance to collect the tax.

Middle District ? Elite Squad---

They went down the streets, their armor glimmering off the sun?s ray. Everyone in the streets stood away, as they moved. Together they went from one store to the next collecting taxes, until they stopped at a small shop and knocked on the door.

Spoiler: To Mortis

The shop is yours.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Tagg looked towards the door and took another sip of his tea before stashing the package beneath the counter. He stood up and walked over to the door, quietly saying to himself "I wonder who that could be..." Tagg reached for the handle, but not before peering through the peephole. Seeing the shining armor and how many there were he looked around the room, silently making plans for various events that could potentially unfold. Looking back at the door and clearing his throat he then said "In case you didn't read, or you're just incompetent, the sign clearly states that the shop's closed for the day. State your name and state your business or get the hell away from my door." He shifted his eyes and gazed around the shop once more as he awaited an answer.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

"Damien is headed to O'la and then up into Upper District. Now I don't know if this Osaia person that you speak of is in O'la but Damien could be persuaded to head a different direction if you joined his army." The recruiter from earlier said, stepping out from the shadows to confront those who were talking about getting Damien's help. He looked a little rougher than he had earlier, a new cut where there hadn't been before but he seemed whole and that was a good enough reason for him to keep getting Damien the recruits he needed.

"Aside from Amelia Foel of Upper District, Damien is one of the most powerful mages, having mastered the seventh tier of magic. He could be of great help if your companion was kidnapped."

 

[Korten12]

Malina---

?Seventh Tier? Well I can tell you there is quite a bit of Tier Ten Mages in Upper District. So I would hardly call him one of the most powerful Mages. And I will tell you, this Osaia, are more powerful than any of us here. Take us to Damien to I can explain.?

Middle District ? Elite Squad---

?We?re from the Elite Squad of Upper District, we have come to collect our Weekly tax. Mr. Taggs, you owe us 700 Kiel. Will you comply or resist? If you do, we will be forced to take you down, and forcefully take your money.?

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Give me a minute" Tagg said and walked over to the counter. Placing his hands on the counter, Tagg closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. He stood there in complete silence breathing deeply, then suddenly the scar tissue on his face seemed to fade away, being replaced by rapidly growing hair which then began turning into a dark shade of brown along with the rest of his facial hair. The hair on his head changed color as well, fading to dark brown from the roots to the ends. He opened his eyes which were now hazel instead of their normal dark brown and reached under the counter for a bag of Kiel. Calmly walking back to the door, he sighed and opened it and looked at the one who seemed to be in charge.

"Well, where are my manners? I apologize, it's always nice to be bled dry by The City's finest." Tagg said, smiling wide. "And to you sir, it is 'Mr. Taggart Ross', I really don't see how you people keep forgetting that. You call yourselves 'Elite'" he scoffed, "can't even remember a damned name..." Tagg then tossed the bag of Kiel at the guard. "Here's your money, and good day sir!" He said, right before slamming the door shut.

 

[Issurru]

Right before Rumina mustered up the courage to knock on the man's door it was opened in a flash as an arm came flying out, grabbed him and pulled him inside. Rumina had no idea what was going on in those few short seconds. He couldn't believe someone could be so fast as he stumbled around trying to regain his footing and unsheathing his sword. In return three more swords were already at his throat.

"Now, now. No need to worry my boy. I mean you no harm, but it would probably be a smart idea if you put that thing away before my men here have to remove it from you."

"Who are you, and why are you watching me?" Rumina spat out as he slowly and calmly sheathed his sword back in its scabbard.

"A friend and potential ally if you play your cards right." The old man said with a menacing grin. "I was watching you because I was told by a friend of mine that you would be coming here looking for me."

"So you're Redithidoor I take it?" Rumina said as he crossed his arms and began to lean against a nearby wall.

"Well, we have ourselves a smart young boy here. Give him a prize men, he got it on his first guess." Redithidoor said in an overly sarcastic and mocking tone. "But I digress, you're here searching for information about Tayranthiel are you not? and why should I give you the information you seek? What have you done for me that should warrant me just giving you this information all willy-nilly? I have a business to run. I can't just be giving out freebies to people who ask for it now can I?" He kept on with his mocking tone taunting Rumina at every corner.

"If you don't give me the information I want, you won't be around to see your business be run into the ground by my own hands." Rumina said with a cold stare.

"Do you seek to end your miserable existence so soon whelp? Try anything and my men will cut you down before you can even blink." Redithidoor shot back.

"I don't see why not." Rumina muttered as he kicked a chair at one of the nearby guards catching him off guard. Quickly followed by a solid punch to the nose knocking him out cold. As he turned around the other two guards came at him, swords drawn. Rumina dodged one but he wasn't quick enough to dodge the other one completely as the blade cut into his arm. It's a little scratch, but I was lucky to not lose my arm. Rumina thought to himself as he slid around behind the guard who had cut him and quickly kicked out his knee then kicked him once more in the ribs to make sure he wouldn't be getting back up anytime soon. The last guard attacked with a flurry of stabs trying to work Rumina into a corner. Rumina quickly drew his sword and parried the jabs, he let the guard take another lunge before slapping his sword away , quickly dashing forward jabbing the hilt of his sword into the guards stomach, and finishing the fight with a quick elbow to the back of his head.

"So much for ending my miserable existence, eh?" Rumina said as he once again sheathed his sword and began to turn to Redithidoor only to find himself his by an invisible force that sent him flying into the wall.

"I warned you, you should respect your elders and listen to what they have to say. Especially when it could save you from getting yourself into more trouble than you can handle."

"So you're a mage too then?" Rumina asked as he tried to break free from the hold

"Not in so many words, I have a small grasp of magic. In order to protect myself from fools such as yourself but nothing to fancy. Nothing compared to the man you seek out."

"Tayranthiel..." Rumina trailed off as Redithidoor began to cut him off

"Why yes, Tayranthiel. He is a rogue wizard, who seems to do as he pleases. Some say he is seeking out ways to wipe out the Upper District all by himself. To take control of the City and to rule it with an iron thumb. To think one could actually do that is insane. But if you do actually plan to kill him you must be equally insane." Redithidoor lowered his hand and Rumina fell to the floor gasping for air.

"It is rumored that Tayranthiel has a secluded home somewhere around O'la. Where it is I do not know, you will have to find that out for yourself. Also, if you do seek to kill him you must learn how to fend off magic. There are myths about people being resistant to magic and even a few about people who have made devices that nullify magic completely. But they are myths distorted by time so I doubt that they have any merit to them. But what you do with all this information is none of my concern. Now begone, before I change my mind about letting you go."

 

[Korten12]

Middle District ? Elite Squad---

?What a rude man, we should take this place down!? Yelled one the guards, another nodded in agreement. But one the Elder member disagreed. ?We will report this incident. He will go on the watch list. Violence should be second.?

The two guards sighed, they hadn?t killed anything in a week, and they were starting to get irritated. During their training in Upper, they were told there would be much fighting. Instead, they?ve been patrolling, collecting tax, and other various deeds.

It was starting to grow tiring.

An hour later, they arrived back at the tower where Nobaqa was. Inside they were greeted and then went to the large list on the wall. The Elder member took the ink pen and wrote, Taggs on it.

Gemsi (Lorel)---

Once he realized it was a lost cause, he went back to O?la. Where he found Osaia meeting with the Osaian Head of O?la. He came in the room with a blast, kicking the doors wide open and then walking in like he didn?t care. The Head Man stood up and slammed the table.

?Who is this man!??

Osaia sighed. ?This man is Gemsi, the Dark Blood God.?

?Dark Blood God, why is he here? The Dark Gods were banished.? Head man was looking for a clear answer, Osaia could tell that.

?Let?s just say that he? came into this world by a weird method.?

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Tagg watched the guards leave through the peephole and locked the door, sighing heavily in relief. The color in his hair began fading back to black, facial hair withered away and was once again replaced with the scar tissue, his eyes were once again their usual dark brown.

Well, today is definitely not my day... He thought as he sat down at his shop counter. I highly doubt they even teach the guards to read these days. Why the hell do I even bother putting signs up when I'm surrounded by illiterates? I just need to cool down and gather my thoughts. Methinks I'll go have a pint. He stood up and briskly walked to grab his coat off the rack and exited his shop and locked the door behind him. He strolled northward up the street towards The Rusty Dagger.

"Please sir, can ye spare a few Kiel? Fer an old lady?" Said a beggar, sitting at the opening of a questionable alley. Tagg looked around searching for any sign of a trap. He saw he was in the clear and cautiously reached into a leather pouch and handed several Kiel to the beggar. "Bless yer 'eart." She said as Tagg started walking away. He turned a corner and immediately was met face-to-face with a strange man. Another damned beggar, thought Tagg.

The man smiled and said "Surely ye can spare a few more Kiel, I know full well ye didn't give all yer coin to that lovely lady."

Tagg nearly retched at the stench of this man's breath, smelling heavily of alchohol and something that must have died ages ago. Stepping back a bit, Tagg told the man "Well you're absolutely right, I didn't give it all to her. However I do not have have any more to spare, I apologize. Now I must be off." Tagg went around the man and continued on his way. He didn't notice the man nodding towards a group of men across the street and most certainly didn't see the largest of them coming up from behind, at least not before the large man picked Tagg up and threw him into a nearby cellar. Tagg tumbled and rolled down the stairs and landed in a heap at the bottom. Winded and a little dazed, he stood up and backed up against a wall to try and regain composure. "Nope..." he coughed, "definitely not my day."

Seven men walked down the stairs, the last one shutting the cellar door. Standing in the middle was the one who confronted Tagg at the corner. The man laughed, "That ye can be certain of. Now, make things easier on yerself. Hand over yer Kiel and ye'll die painlessly. If ye don't like that option, Basher here" he gestured at the large man "will be painting the walls red, and he'll be using ye as the paint." He laughed again and the others joined him in his laughter.

Basher unsheathed a rather large hammer and pointed the business end at Tagg. "Choose ye little whelp, or I'll use my basher to open up those scars."

"Alright, I suppose...if I must..." Tagg said as he reached for his belt, careful not to make sudden movements. His hand moved closer to his coin pouch and he could already see the men tensing up, hands on their scabbards and ready to unsheath their blades. Better be fast, Tagg thought and in one swift motion he reached past the pouch and grasping a ceramic orb with a fuse from his belt, he flicked the steel wheel that scraped the small piece of flint which created a spark that lit the oiled fuse. Tagg quickly threw the orb at their feet causing it to shatter, the fuse igniting the contents and filling the room with smoke. Amidst the coughing and confuson, Tagg made a mad dash for the stairs and ducked just in time to dodge the hammer flailing around. Scrambling up the stairs he heard a dull thud and a loud scream and smiled knowingly. He pushed open the cellar door and stumbled into the open, gasping for clean air.

"He's outside, after him!" Tagg heard the leader yell. Tagg spun around and shut the cellar door and barred it with a thick piece of lumber. No sooner than he shut it, there was thumping and pounding from the other side.

Tagg chuckled a bit and started walking away. "That went surprisingly wel-" was all he could say before a loud crash and the sound of wood splintering caused him to look back, only to see the head of Basher's Basher protruding from the door. With another hit, the cellar door was reduced to tinder and the six remaining men came pouring out of the cellar. They don't look too happy... Thought Tagg as he bolted down the street.

"There he goes!" One of them shouted and the group was quickly chasing after Tagg.