[h1][color=indianred]Dane “Red Raider” Parish[/color][/h1] [hr] [indent][b][i]November 19, 12:35 AM Northeastern mountain base, Fifty-Eighter encampment[/i][/b][/indent] [color=indianred]"I said no!"[/color] Parish called out to his subordinate, [color=indianred]"I don't care how late or early it gets! We're stayin’ here ‘til mornin’, then we’re scoutin’ the mountain, and if nothin’ happens, [i]then[/i] we'll leave!"[/color] The unkempt man was dressed in an assortment of leather wear, with a ragged coat and several belts, all underneath a mangled red mantle. He wore a wide-brim cap, with a striking red feather pointing upward from the side. One of his hands held a bottle of whiskey, and the other held a rifle. "What are we even waiting for?" The large, dark man in the fur coat retorted. [color=indianred]"I 'ave it on very good sources that people's been disappearin' 'round this mountain!"[/color] Parish replied, [color=indianred]"What's more, Maude [i]herself[/i] told me to take a looksee! So we're all here, and we're gonna wait and see if anythin' comes down! And if we hear so much as a [i]squeak[/i], we are marching up that mountain, ALL of us!"[/color] "And what are you thinking even’s up this mountain?" [color=indianred]"Oh, bugger if I know!"[/color] Parish replied, sipping his whiskey. [color=indianred]"But whatever it turns out to be, we got them noice gifts from the Silvers to help put 'em down for good."[/color] He pointed over to the campsite's rather large stockpile of weaponry, all of finer make than the blunderbusses and pistols they were formerly accustomed to. Indeed, the Silver Battalion had sold them some quality firearms. [color=indianred]"Now stop ya bitchin' an' get back to watchin'!"[/color] [hr] [h1][color=slategray]Kantus[/color] and [color=royalblue]Baldwin[/color][/h1] [hr] [indent][b][i]November 19, 12:37 AM Northeastern mountain base[/i][/b][/indent] The two crouched atop a ledge, looking down at the barrels of fire dotting the rather large campsite down below. From this distance, they could see damn well every aspect of the party's offensive force. Dozens of men, all standing around, admiring their guns, chatting, watching the perimeter. Kantus craned his neck outward to get the best view he could. He retracted it, and pointed an arm forward. [color=slategray]"That one. In the feathered cap. Do you see him?"[/color] [color=royalblue]"What of him?"[/color] Baldwin said, spite creeping into his tone. [color=slategray]"He is their leader and my target. He is not to be harmed. The rest, however, must not survive."[/color] Baldwin tilted his head to gaze at Kantus. His expression was grim. The dark circles beneath his eyes accentuated by the firelight below. [color=royalblue]"And you need me to... get my hands dirty. Yes?"[/color] [color=slategray]"Not here."[/color] Kantus replied, [color=slategray]"You must begin ascending the mountain towards Voldoa. I will draw their attention and lure them behind you. When they are at the wall, I will abduct the leader, and you will slaughter the rest. Absolutely [i]none of them[/i] must survive, or the hunter factions will gain knowledge of Voldoa, and [i]all hell[/i] will transpire."[/color] With a slow movement, Baldwin slicked his hair down. He gave out a long sigh as he stood from his crouching stance. [color=royalblue]"Best that we do not dally, then. Dead men tell no tales."[/color] He looked back shortly to Kantus, a ghost of a smile on his face. [color=royalblue]"And how can hell transpire if we fill it?"[/color] Kantus stood and looked straight at Baldwin. [color=slategray]"I am working to ensure that such will be the future case."[/color] As Baldwin nodded and turned, Kantus laid a hand on his shoulder. He retracted his neck some and said, [color=slategray]"I assure you that you will be rewarded for this. Not by me, but the Engineers. Defending Voldoa from a Fifty-Eighter attack will warrant a higher status, akin to my own. And that [i]will[/i] be coming into play later, should you be willing."[/color] Baldwin brushed some frost off the end of his nose, sniffling slightly. [color=royalblue]"Should the Engineers, or even worse, Hugo, catch wind of this collusion... Can you-... I don't want to imagine the ramifications."[/color] [color=slategray]"Not a [i]soul[/i] will hear of this, Baldwin."[/color] [color=royalblue]"I know you well enough to know that you've thought this through. Thorougly, if my instincts tell me anything. I will trust in you."[/color] [color=slategray]"And I you."[/color] Kantus replied, [color=slategray]"Now go."[/color] [color=royalblue]"Be safe,"[/color] With that he turned, bending his legs before turning back, [color=royalblue]"And, the first mark of faith I see, I am tearing off and devouring."[/color] Not waiting for an answer, Baldwin bounded off up the mountain, back to the walls of Voldoa. Kantus turned back to the camp. He waited a short while after Baldwin departed to give the Bergkonge ample time to prepare for the attack. This would be the largest group to ever besiege Voldoa thus far, out of the very few attacks they’d suffered in the past. But all they had to be was [i]thorough[/i], leaving absolutely no one to run away, and things would work out well in the end. Kantus raised his neck, and the feathers below his beak began to split apart, revealing a gaping maw of jagged teeth. He let out a nightmarish shriek, one that would bring the Fifty-Eighters [i]running[/i] up the mountain. He unfurled his wings and began his ascent.