I never used to play the genre at all, but I bought a game recently that I quite enjoyed. Divinity: Original Sin II. The gameplay was great, sometimes unforgiving, and had a world that really grew on me.
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Against the power that Sabine now wielded, it was as if the very idea of resisting her was absurd. Not wards, enchantments, or willpower stopped each consecutive spell she launched. All of them fell beneath her magic. Even Do'rhajul reflexively raised up Spellbreaker when he saw Sabine's slow march towards him. It was perhaps the only thing present capable of resisting Sabine, but he soon realized that she was not interested in attacking him.
With the fighting now conclusively ended, Do'rhajul froze where he was standing. He looked around the camp, over his former allies, and dropped his sword on the ground. The forest had gone almost eerily silent, as even the birds and other animals had fled from the fighting. The only real sound was some wind rustling through the surrounding leaves. Eventually, his gaze fell back upon Yerig. He was greatly concerned for his friend's well-being, but at the same time, terrified to so much as get close to Sabine.
For Yerig, the lightning bolt had struck him in just the wrong way, and traveled in just the wrong path through his body. Even though his robes were enchanted to resist it, they did not stop the shock entirely. It also did not help matters that he was an old man, in quite good shape for his age, but still less hardy than he may once have been. His heart had stopped, and for most healers, it would be too late to save him. Indeed, even Sabine likely would have been unable to save him normally, but she still did not know the extent of her capabilities with the staff. There was a possibility she could save him, if she chose to do so.
With the fighting now conclusively ended, Do'rhajul froze where he was standing. He looked around the camp, over his former allies, and dropped his sword on the ground. The forest had gone almost eerily silent, as even the birds and other animals had fled from the fighting. The only real sound was some wind rustling through the surrounding leaves. Eventually, his gaze fell back upon Yerig. He was greatly concerned for his friend's well-being, but at the same time, terrified to so much as get close to Sabine.
For Yerig, the lightning bolt had struck him in just the wrong way, and traveled in just the wrong path through his body. Even though his robes were enchanted to resist it, they did not stop the shock entirely. It also did not help matters that he was an old man, in quite good shape for his age, but still less hardy than he may once have been. His heart had stopped, and for most healers, it would be too late to save him. Indeed, even Sabine likely would have been unable to save him normally, but she still did not know the extent of her capabilities with the staff. There was a possibility she could save him, if she chose to do so.
Completely unrelated to anything, but do you like turn-based strategy RPGs?
Immediately as Do'rhajul raised his weapon against her Arinette shouted to the others. "Kill them! All of them! Remember your oaths to Vile. If you betray that oath, your souls are forfeit!" However, she did not have any chance to speak further once Sabine lifted her up with her overwhelming magical force. She screamed, at first out of pain, but soon fear once the numbness set in and she realized that she had no control of her body. She could move her muscles as much as she wanted, but her limbs did not move, she could not speak. Though the sheer force of Sabine's power, Arinette was helpless.
Unfortunately, whether through their fear of Vile, or just the authority behind Arinette's order, the remaining members of the team were willing to follow it. Whatever their motivations, they were willing to turn on Do'rhajul. The Orcs focused their attention on him, perhaps because he was an easier target for them to fight. At least, that was their assumption. Do'rhajul had not demonstrated much of his ability in the previous fight with the pack, but his answer to the Orcs' charge showed why he was feared among the lycan clans. Every single motion was precise and served to defeat his opponents as quickly as possible. The pair moved to his left and right to divide his attention, but he was surprisingly quick to force the Orc on his right to parry with his blade, then bash straight through to his head with Spellbreaker. He fully expected the other twin to attack him in the back while he was vulnerable, and so he both planned appropriately and executed it flawlessly. The Orc's mace was mid-swing towards the back of Do'rhajul's head when he used the momentum of his shield bash to turn his upper body and actually parry the mace aside with his shoulderplate. From there, he allowed his momentum to carry his sword arm into a swing that hit the side of the Orc's leg precisely in the gap between the armored plates at his knee. The blade cut deep into the Orc's joint, rendering his leg unusable.
While the Nord archer was unsure what to do, the Redguard conjurer was at least able to direct her storm atronach against Sabine. The daedra unleashed a furious storm of lightning at Sabine's ward. But, while it certainly looked intimidating, it posed absolutely no threat of being able to break through her barrier. If anything, she may have been able to absorb its power into the staff, with just a bit of effort. Arinette, despite everything that Sabine had just done to her, remained hopelessly defiant. She extended her hand towards Sabine to try and help the atronach break the ward, but found no magicka within herself to cast a spell.
Amid the chaos, there was another potential concern. Yerig had still not recovered from Arinette's bolt of lightning. In fact, he was not moving at all.
Unfortunately, whether through their fear of Vile, or just the authority behind Arinette's order, the remaining members of the team were willing to follow it. Whatever their motivations, they were willing to turn on Do'rhajul. The Orcs focused their attention on him, perhaps because he was an easier target for them to fight. At least, that was their assumption. Do'rhajul had not demonstrated much of his ability in the previous fight with the pack, but his answer to the Orcs' charge showed why he was feared among the lycan clans. Every single motion was precise and served to defeat his opponents as quickly as possible. The pair moved to his left and right to divide his attention, but he was surprisingly quick to force the Orc on his right to parry with his blade, then bash straight through to his head with Spellbreaker. He fully expected the other twin to attack him in the back while he was vulnerable, and so he both planned appropriately and executed it flawlessly. The Orc's mace was mid-swing towards the back of Do'rhajul's head when he used the momentum of his shield bash to turn his upper body and actually parry the mace aside with his shoulderplate. From there, he allowed his momentum to carry his sword arm into a swing that hit the side of the Orc's leg precisely in the gap between the armored plates at his knee. The blade cut deep into the Orc's joint, rendering his leg unusable.
While the Nord archer was unsure what to do, the Redguard conjurer was at least able to direct her storm atronach against Sabine. The daedra unleashed a furious storm of lightning at Sabine's ward. But, while it certainly looked intimidating, it posed absolutely no threat of being able to break through her barrier. If anything, she may have been able to absorb its power into the staff, with just a bit of effort. Arinette, despite everything that Sabine had just done to her, remained hopelessly defiant. She extended her hand towards Sabine to try and help the atronach break the ward, but found no magicka within herself to cast a spell.
Amid the chaos, there was another potential concern. Yerig had still not recovered from Arinette's bolt of lightning. In fact, he was not moving at all.
Circumtore
As the smuggler left the ship in tow with his Mandalorian a dock worker walked over and handed the duo a holotablet, on the holotablet would be an address for a warehouse several miles away, the dock worker didn’t say a word and before the two could say anything he walked out of the hangar and away from the situation.
Sol’id Fist made sure his equipment was fastened one last time before departing, standing at the exit bay of the ship as the dock worker gave the information. The man handed it to Sol’id, before making away quickly due to the danger that exuded off of the veteran. The large Mando awaited Elias to show himself off the ship, handing it to him when he appeared.
Meanwhile, Delni was back at the ship, watching her screen just as she agreed to. However, there was little for her to do just yet, and now that she had some time to herself to think clearly, she realized that she needed to tell her sister what happened…somehow. She did not know when Sirka was going to end up back at Paradise, Delni knew it would scare her half to death to come back only to find her missing. She had to tell her; there was no way out of it. She did not want to make her too angry, but she would only make it worse by lying.
After a few deep breaths to collect herself, Delni picked up her datapad and started to type out a message. It was a message that she wrote, erased, then rewrote again before she had something she could feel brave enough to send: Okay, sis, before I say anything, I want you to know that I am fine. I’m perfectly safe, and I’m not in danger. But, I’m not on Paradise. I made a mistake, and I know it was a mistake, but when I was drunk, I decided I wanted to spend a night with that Mandalorian we met in the bar. I went to his ship, he forgot, and I accidentally stowed away on his job. I’m on his ship now, at a place called Circumtore. Once he’s done, he says he’ll take me back.”
Elias walked down the ramp in time to see the man leave and, when Sol’id offered the information he had dropped off, took it to read it, absentmindedly checking his blaster pistols as he did so. ”Right, that man rushing out is not reassuring of the nature of this run. Got all your gear?”
“Everything’s loaded.” Sol’id assured him, hefting his large blaster. “Let’s move.”
The two Mandalorian’s moved out, the loading bay behind them lifting up into a close as they exited the dock. Sol’id kept quiet for the moment, though once they got closer to the destination, he felt it prudent to ask if Elias knew any hand signals.
Sirka was making her way back to the ship with Boqo, growing more and more relaxed the longer they walked. The job, it seemed, had gone smoothly. They delivered the package, made some thinly-veiled threats, and could now leave. She supposed that one advantage of working for a larger organization than just herself was that people tended to be even more hesitant to start trouble with her than usual. She had her repeater slung up over her shoulder when she heard a buzz from her datapad. Since she no longer had to be as worried, she trailed a bit behind Boqo as she fished her datapad out of one of her pouches.
Even just starting off reading Delni’s message, Sirka was already concerned, and it certainly did not diminish by the time she finished it. Without hesitation, she made a call to her sister. Although, Delni had a few seconds more of hesitation before answering. “What do you mean you’re not on Paradise!? Did you follow me here or something? Of all the…why couldn’t you just stay in bed?” Sirka opened up immediately, her voice hushed, but clearly upset.
“Okay, I know, I know, calm down sis. I know it was stupid, but I didn’t mean to. I was too drunk to think straight. I didn’t…wait, follow you? Do you mean…” Delni replied, quickly becoming confused.
“Yes, my job took me here too. I’m on Circumtore. Close to Timana’s palace.” Sirka answered.
Delni almost fell out of her chair with surprise for Sirka’s answer. It was certainly not what she had expected to hear, and she honestly was not sure if it would make everything much more convenient, or much more complicated.
Elias gave his affirmative that he did, drawing one blaster pistol and keeping it at a relaxed ready. ”All things considered, we’ll hopefully not need to use them. This is supposed to just be a pick up.” He then mentally made a note to have both blasters ready before going into the warehouse. He was on a pick up for Koren and the Golden Exchange, which meant that simple was not in the equation. ”Delni, you hack into the Hutt’s coms signals yet?”
“It’s always supposed to be as planned.” Sol’id said to the greenhorn. “Until it isn’t”
“Hey, is that…” Sirka began upon hearing Elias in the background of the call, but Delni quickly muted her as she shifted her attention quickly over to the other screen.
“I...well hold on, you literally just left. There may not even be any comms to intercept yet. The people you’re meeting with will almost certainly use their own specific channel for this pick up. Hopefully, it won’t be encrypted.” Delni answered to Elias. Her biggest task right now would be to identify which channel she should be listening in to. So, she had the ship start picking up every unencrypted channel in range. Fortunately, Elias’ ship did seem to have the basics for eavesdropping, whether or not Elias knew how to use them. She used a program to display the audio it was intercepting as text in front of her. If she saw something telling, she might be able to identify which channel was the right one.
The warehouse was empty, and barren. Bar one crate in the centre of the room, on top of the crate cross legged sat a single Besalisk with all four arms crossed on his chest. He looked up as the two individuals entered the room. “Who are you two supposed to be? Boba and Dengar?”
Meanwhile outside, things shifted in the shadows. Well co-ordinated, speaking in hushed voices as they surrounded the warehouse. Once they had surrounded the warehouse they sent a single message “We have the building surrounded, moving in once the package has changed hands.” Once the message had sent, another deployed a radio jammer. There’d be no calling for help on this day.
Although Delni was still in the middle of being berated by her sister for her, admittedly stupid, mistakes, she was still trying to pay attention to the myriad of communications she was intercepting. There were plenty of intercepted transmissions scrolling past her screen, none of which seemed to have anything to do with Elias or his job. She saw advertisements, personal calls, or just phrases that made no sense out of context. However, after minute or so, in the corner of her eye, she spotted single transmission that grabbed her attention. Someone was surrounding a building, and was waiting for a package to change hands. That was enough to immediately give Delni cause to worry.
Muting her call with Sirka for a moment, Delni tried to get a hold of Elias. “Hey, I just picked up a message that has me worried. It said they’re surrounding a building and waiting for a package to change hands, which might be you.” She explained. It was a warning that she expected to warrant an immediate response, however, she sat there in silence receiving nothing in return. “Elias? Can you hear me?” She asked again, but there was still no response.
Unmuting her call with Sirka, Delni cut her sister off mid-sentence. “This isn’t good. I just picked up a transmission that I think means that Elias is going to get ambushed. And now he isn’t responding to me. I think his communications might be jammed, or at least…I hope that’s all that’s wrong. Sis, you’re on this same planet, right? And you said you finished your job here. Do you think you could…help?”
“What?!” Sirka shouted back instantly. “This Mandalorian scum kidnaps you and you want me to help him? What kind of drugs did he put you on?”
“I know what I’m saying, Sirka.” Delni replied, her tone somewhat mirroring Sirka’s agitation. “I said he didn’t mean to; it was my fault more than anything. He’s no saint, sure, but he still doesn’t deserve to get killed in some ambush. Besides, he’s on a job from Koren too. If you end up not only completing your job, but also helping out with another one too, on your own initiative, well…I can only imagine that would impress him.”
Sirka was practically growling by this point. “I don’t care about the Mandalorian, and I don’t care about his job. I just want to find you, and get you back to Paradise safe. Just tell me where you are, I’ll come get you, and we can leave this all behind.”
“Look, I don’t know exactly where this hanger I’m in even is.” Delni lied. “I’m unarmed, and I really don’t want to go outside this ship.”
“Then just take the ship and fly it back yourself!” Sirka replied without hesitation.
“It’s locked down, I can’t fly it. Sirka, my best bet for getting back home safe is Elias flying my out of here. Besides, whoever is ambushing Elias may have already marked this ship to shoot down once it takes off. But if you stop them, then that might not happen. Or at the very least, Elias knows how to fly this ship a lot better than I could, if I could even get its controls unlocked. Please, just help him out. I’m sending you the location.” Delni pleaded.
There was another growl from Sirka, followed by a long pause. “I’m going to regret this.”
Sol ignored the Besalisks jibe, halting a few paces from the alien with Elias at to his left. The Mandalorian didn’t go for any blaster, but his every movement kept his hands open and close to where his holster’s lay, just in case. He’d survived far too many encounters that went awry for him to take chances.
“I’d question who wanted to know, but I was informed our contact would be the ‘ugly’ one. I see you’re right where we were told.” Sol’id replied. His voice deep and grating, but apparently he was not without wit. “Do you have the package?”
Elias frowned at the Besalisk behind his helmet, but didn’t reply, opting instead to search the room as he kept his one drawn blaster at his side. Being honest with himself, he didn’t take Koren as the type to agree to a warehouse meeting, but since he knew he’d be sending someone not directly affiliated with the Golden Exchange…Jack ass… Still, something didn’t sit right with the smuggler as Sol spoke to the Besalisk. He decided to try Delni and get a status update. Cutting his external audio, he speaks into his mic. ”Delni, you get anything?” Silence meets him, along with some static. ”Delni? You there?” Turning his mic back on, he signals to Fist their comms are being jammed before speaking to their host.
”And if you do, how long is it going to take to transport it back to my ship?”
The Besalisk stood up, two electrostaffs on his back now visible. Before jumping off the crate. “This thing?” He waved one of his big hands in dismissal. “This isn’t anything important to you, I just needed you to think this is the right place. You know-” He pointed a knowing finger at the two Mandalorians. “-That employer of yours isn’t an easy guy to trick. Hell, that courier you ran into at the spaceport?” He shrugged. “He’s going to have to disappear real faster as soon as Koren finds out he sold him out. My job? Well. Keep you busy of course, can’t have you intercepting the package.” He reached over and grabbed one staff with his left, and his right.
Tapping them on the ground the ends light up with energy. “So, you two ready for a fight?”
Elias shakes his head and holsters the blaster pistol before reaching over his shoulder and drawing his vibroblade, the black core lighting up as soon as he activates it. Sliding into a ready stance, he squares off with the Besalisk. ”Unfortunately for that courier, once I’m done with you, there’s no where he can hide that I won’t find him.”
He spun his vibrosword as he circled his opponent. The gunslinger wasn’t sure how Sol handled close combat situations, or even if the admittedly intimidating Mandalorian even had to worry about them, but Elias had three factors in his favor. First was that he was no slouch with a sword, despite many considering the skill to be obsolete with blaster tech in existence. Of course, it was often the unexpected blade that killed the confident. The second was he was a potent hand to hand combatant as well, though the Besalisk was definitely stronger than he was, so avoiding a grapple situation would be best. And finally, his jetpack gave him good maneuverability and allowed him to make stronger strikes by bursting his jetpack at the right time. Not that it would do me much good here. Thing would probably just jab me with the shocky end of the stick midflight.
Having no further reason to delay, Elias jetted forwards towards the Besalisk and brought the blade around in a horizontal slash, which the Besalisk counted by blocking with one electrostaff and making a jab with the other, forcing the Mandalorian to sidestep before slashing vertically at his exposed arms to try and make him move this time.
Sirka had to get Boqo back to his ship before she could safely leave him, for a few reasons. She did not want to start off her employment with Koren by abandoning a job, after all. Fortunately, it was not that much more of a walk before she could get him back to his ship so he could get off-planet. When his ship took off, she knew she was now committed.
From the spaceport, Sirka approached the location that Delni had given her. She kept herself in a call with her sister for the entire time to make sure she was on the right track, but as she neared the warehouse, she noticed that the call’s quality kept dropping until it cut off entirely. That, at least, confirmed the fact that the Mandalorians’ communications were being jammed. It still did not confirm if the Mandalorians were still alive, and at this point, Sirka still did not particularly care if she found only corpses. She just wanted to get Delni off this planet. Along the way, her nose picked up a familiar scent. Elias had walked this very path to the warehouse, which just served as more confirmation that she was heading in the right direction.
There were enough shipping crates outside the warehouse that Sirka did not have to simply approach out in the open. She knew that she would not stay hidden if she got close enough for her rather hefty footsteps to be heard, but she could at least get a look from a distance. Sure enough, she saw a few shifty-looking figures in front of her. They were armed, hidden, and in good cover from the direction of the warehouse. Her eyes were not sharp enough to get many details at this distance, but there looked to be three of them. The fact that they were entirely exposed from her angle suggested that they were not expecting any outside interference for this apparent ambush, and indeed, why would they?
Sirka kept herself hidden behind a crate, her repeater firmly in her hands. She could definitely get the jump on these three, and without any real cover from her angle, they would not stand much of a chance against the barrage of blaster fire she could output. However, if she did get involved, she would need to be ready for a fight. Delni had said that they surrounded the warehouse, so there were definitely more than just the three she would have to contend with, without the element of surprise.
Sol’id had to admit he had wanted to enter the fray and fight the Besalisk hand to hand, but when young Elias had presented the decoy contact with a challenge, Sol stepped back. Until Elias gave him a signal that he wanted aid, Sol’id wouldn’t interfere with honor during a duel. Still, he wasn’t going to sit idly by either. From what the Besalisk had said, the Warehouse was veritably surrounded apparently.
Sol’id grabbed his blaster, taking off the safety and gazing around the room for any openings or windows they could be assaulted from. While Elias took out the Besalisk here, Sol’id would kill whoever tried to enter the Warehouse.
The Besalisk rebuked Elias’ slash with a pre-emptive kick to his stomach, causing the blade narrowly miss his arm by the smallest of margins. Though, neither combatant could follow up quickly enough to take advantage. A confident smirk crossed the Besalisk’s face when he noticed the conspicuous absence of the other Mandalorian in the fight. He had evidently been prepared to face them both.
That confidence manifested into an aggressive charge, with one staff aimed to parry Elias’ vibroblade, and the other ready to jab at an exposed limb. The shock would likely give a more decisive opening.
Elias jetted backwards away from the charge and raised his arm, the one with the gauntlet. Without any hesitation, he unleashed a wave of fire at the Besalisk before charging through it and attacking in a series of high-low thrusts and slashes. The idea was to put the Besalisk on the defensive while providing very short openings that would prevent the staffs from being used. On the third move of the second pattern, Elias feinted, changing from a slash as the Besalisk moved to block and using his jetpack to deliver a rocket powered uppercut to the beast’s chin.
Landing from delivering the blow, he immediately goes for the nearest arm with his blade, aiming to take off the hand and cripple their opponent.
The flames had been enough to throw the Besalisk off-balance, particularly since he had to react quickly to dodge away from them. Even so, he responded hit for hit to Elias’ flurry of attacks to protect himself, but he had still not fully regained his footing by the time the Mandalorian managed to land a solid hit straight to his chin.
The hit was clean, and with his already-uncertain footing, it was enough to send the Besalisk flying backwards. Still, he was not out of the fight. He kept a good hold of both of his staves as he fell, and when Elias went for his wrist, he just barely managed to strike away the blade, at least mostly. He spared his hand from being severed, but was still left with a wide gash down one of his forearms. He did let out a scream, but it was more of an enraged battlecry than a cry of pain.
Though still on the ground, Elias was near enough that the Besalisk was still a danger. With his other two arms, he pushed one end of an electrostaff between Elias’ feet, then snapped the staff upwards in an attempt to deliver a frightening combination of both force and electricity straight to Elias’ groin.
Elias managed to lessen the blow by quick stepping forwards away from the shocky end of the staff, but to say that the impact didn’t hurt would be lying. In fact, if he didn’t need the Besalisk for information, he’d have probably just pulled his blaster pistol and put a bolt in the bastard’s head. Regardless, Elias slammed his foot down on the now sliced open arm of his opponent, hopefully causing his grip to weaken on one staff enough for Elias to kick it away and then placed the sword tip against the Besalisk’s neck hard enough to draw blood, even as his stomach did front flips from the previous blow. ”Alright, we’ve played at your game long enough. Where’s the real package?”
Sirka kept her eyes on the trio ahead of her, letting out a long breath. Everything pointed to them being the enemy Delni had warned her about. She could smell Elias’ scent leading up to the warehouse ahead of them, and Delni had intercepted a message specifying that they would be surrounding the warehouse. It did not take a genius to put two and two together, but that did not erase Sirka’s hesitation. She would still be opening fire, unprovoked, on an unsuspecting group of people, hoping that they deserved it. But, there was little that Sirka was not willing to do for her sister.
It was the shouting from inside the warehouse that eventually gave Sirka enough confidence to make the decision. Listening closely, she could hear, however faintly, the distinct sounds of combat from within. It all fit too closely with what Delni had intercepted to just be a coincidence. Sirka let out her breath again, this time to steady her aim as she leaned out from her cover.
The trio in front of Sirka never really stood a chance. They were fixated on the warehouse, and had nothing between themselves and Sirka’s blaster. The only warning to two of them was the first of them being blasted, and there was not much of a chance after for the other two to move. Sirka had little difficulty hitting a clustered group of stationary targets with her repeater. At that point, there was no going back for her. Sirka sprinted up to the group’s former cover and crouched down behind it. If the warehouse was indeed surrounded, the next fight would not be nearly as easy. Fortunately, the enemy wanted to radio each other about what was going on, they would have to disable their jammer, so Sirka stayed ready to contact Elias if that opportunity arose.
The Besalisk, for as stubborn as he was, still had his limits. Adrenaline kept the pain from incapacitating him, but even he could not keep Elias from knocking one of his staves out of his grasp. He still had the other in his hands, but Elias’ blade was enough to give him pause. His hands clutched his remaining staff tightly as he glared at the Mandalorian, still searching in futility for an opening. He was reluctant to give into Elias’ demands, and beyond that, the blaster fire they could suddenly hear outside further drew his attention. “What the…” The Besalisk remarked in confusion. If his reaction was to be believed, there was not supposed to be shooting outside.
Elias’s eyes flickered to the door for barely a second at the sound of the blaster fire, but his stance remained unmoved. He dug the tip in a little deeper. ”Worry about that if you survive this. Where is the real package and who is it supposed to be going to?”
For as defiant as he was, and wanted to be, the blade that was currently piercing ever-so-slightly into his throat made for a compelling argument to the Besalisk. With a dejected grunt, he finally gave an answer. “Docking bay C-12, hanger 2. Not that you’ll ever claim it.”
Elias growled as he removed his sword and delivered a knockout kick to the Besalisk’s head before taking a picture with his helmet’s visor. It had enough storage in it that one picture shouldn’t take up too much room. Koren would want to deal with the rat himself anyways. Turning away from the hopefully unconscious ass hole, the smuggler signaled Sol’id. ”Right, Docking bay C-12 in hangar 2. We’re gonna have to fly.”
The display of power from Sabine put an immediate halt to any thoughts of attack. The Argonian was left bleeding on the ground, after having been cut up by his own blade when he was sent tumbling. The Breton escaped with fewer injuries, but even more fear. He was not the greatest among their team to begin with, so even upon seeing Sabine collapsed to her knees after he regained his bearings, he was not brave enough to remain. She was distracted, so he quickly started to take off into the forest at full sprint.
Yerig took a few steps forward, holding his hands up towards Sabine. "Easy, girl, easy. Sabine, that's your name, right? This doesn't have to end in more violence. I think that there's a lot that a lot of us here don't know."
"Don't...listen to her!" A strained voice cried out nearby. The paralysis spell had worn off on Arinette, so she was struggling to regain control of herself and get back to her feet. They lie! Deceive! Manipulate! No one else even sees the threat; we are the only ones standing in their way. Only lord Vile is willing to fight them."
Yerig shook his head. "I haven't believed that since the moment you first said it. Why would a Daedra even care?"
Do'rhajul stepped up beside Yerig with a bit more confidence than before. "I really want to believe you, Arinette. Lycans are destructive creatures. They stole my life from me, and I've heard the countless stories from my men of the lives they've shattered. But...this book, I have to admit that it explains so many of those strange reports over the years. It explains all of the stonewalling I've struggled with for this entire war with you...priests of Vile. All of the secrecy, the restricted meetings. I'm starting to think that...you have something to hide, Arinette."
"Remember your pact, Do'rhajul." Arinette replied with obvious, growing rage. "Remember what will happen to your soul if you fail in your bargain with our lord."
There was a pause as Do'rhajul closed his eyes. "If there is any truth in this book. Any truth in that lycan's words, then this soul is already a lost cause."
Yerig reached up and placed a hand on Do'rhajul's shoulder. "Then how about we listen to her. Listen to what this lycan has to say, and see what kind of truth she can share for ourselves. I think..."
"Silence!" Arinette screamed. Following her enraged shout, she quite suddenly cast a bolt of lightning which Yerig had been entirely unprepared to deal with. It hit him square in the chest, sending him to the ground immediately. She followed through with another bolt, but by that point, Do'rhajul had moved in between them with Spellbreaker raised, entirely absorbing the spell.
"You...you'll pay for that!" Do'rhajul growled, his blade now drawn.
Yerig took a few steps forward, holding his hands up towards Sabine. "Easy, girl, easy. Sabine, that's your name, right? This doesn't have to end in more violence. I think that there's a lot that a lot of us here don't know."
"Don't...listen to her!" A strained voice cried out nearby. The paralysis spell had worn off on Arinette, so she was struggling to regain control of herself and get back to her feet. They lie! Deceive! Manipulate! No one else even sees the threat; we are the only ones standing in their way. Only lord Vile is willing to fight them."
Yerig shook his head. "I haven't believed that since the moment you first said it. Why would a Daedra even care?"
Do'rhajul stepped up beside Yerig with a bit more confidence than before. "I really want to believe you, Arinette. Lycans are destructive creatures. They stole my life from me, and I've heard the countless stories from my men of the lives they've shattered. But...this book, I have to admit that it explains so many of those strange reports over the years. It explains all of the stonewalling I've struggled with for this entire war with you...priests of Vile. All of the secrecy, the restricted meetings. I'm starting to think that...you have something to hide, Arinette."
"Remember your pact, Do'rhajul." Arinette replied with obvious, growing rage. "Remember what will happen to your soul if you fail in your bargain with our lord."
There was a pause as Do'rhajul closed his eyes. "If there is any truth in this book. Any truth in that lycan's words, then this soul is already a lost cause."
Yerig reached up and placed a hand on Do'rhajul's shoulder. "Then how about we listen to her. Listen to what this lycan has to say, and see what kind of truth she can share for ourselves. I think..."
"Silence!" Arinette screamed. Following her enraged shout, she quite suddenly cast a bolt of lightning which Yerig had been entirely unprepared to deal with. It hit him square in the chest, sending him to the ground immediately. She followed through with another bolt, but by that point, Do'rhajul had moved in between them with Spellbreaker raised, entirely absorbing the spell.
"You...you'll pay for that!" Do'rhajul growled, his blade now drawn.
It would not take Sabine long to realize the power she now held in her hands. Her paralysis spell had taken Arinette off-guard, and though Sabine's own magicka was now drained almost entirely, she could feel what seemed to be, upon first impressions, a near limitless well of power within the staff. Regardless of how much magicka the staff actually contained, there was a limit to how much a mage could draw from it at once, but that limit was relative to the mage's own ability. For an average mage, the power they could draw upon was still impressive, but Sabine was far beyond average. As she started to cast spells from the staff, Sabine would soon realize that her potential with it was immense.
Not only could Sabine heal her wounds, but she could essentially erase the pain from many hours of suffering. If she so desired, she could use restoration to enhance her own physical attributes far beyond what was natural, even after being maimed for hours on end. It would be trivial for her to break her manacles, though their enchantment was hardly even relevant at this point.
Sabine's sudden escape was as surprising to Do'rhajul as it was confusing. One of his hands gripped his weapon, but the order that Sabine shouted to him gave him pause. He looked uncertain, and in the back of his eyes, Sabine may have been able to see some fear. Even Yerig had been caught off-guard by Sabine's escape. He had been the only one in the camp so far to speak up on Sabine's behalf, but even he had not planned on her so quickly escaping her binds.
The others in the camp reacted much more decisively. One of the Orcs witnessed the escape, and shouted the order for the camp to come to arms. They were all on their guard after the previous night's events, so it took only moments for each of them to rush through the camp towards her. But, even they showed their fear once they realized that she now wielded the staff. Instead of attacking her immediately, they moved to surround her. The armored warriors, including the Orcs and Nord shield-bearer, took positions in front of her. The Redguard conjured up a storm atronach and stayed behind the warriors, while the Breton male started charging a fireball off to her right. The Argonian, meanwhile, strafed slowly to Sabine's left in search of an opening. They were certainly an impressive force together, but Sabine had little cause to be afraid. She was now capable beyond anything they would expect. Even Meesei would be Sabine's clear inferior in her current state. It was possible that Yerig and Do'rhajul might be willing to aid Sabine, given recent revelations, but she could be quite confident in the fact that she did not even need them to demolish any resistance against her.
When they had power over Sabine, almost every member of Arinette's team had committed terrible atrocities against Sabine. Some were more reluctant than others, but they had each participated in torturing a helpless woman. Now, Sabine held all of the power over them, and it was entirely up to her what she did with it. They were at Sabine's mercy.
Not only could Sabine heal her wounds, but she could essentially erase the pain from many hours of suffering. If she so desired, she could use restoration to enhance her own physical attributes far beyond what was natural, even after being maimed for hours on end. It would be trivial for her to break her manacles, though their enchantment was hardly even relevant at this point.
Sabine's sudden escape was as surprising to Do'rhajul as it was confusing. One of his hands gripped his weapon, but the order that Sabine shouted to him gave him pause. He looked uncertain, and in the back of his eyes, Sabine may have been able to see some fear. Even Yerig had been caught off-guard by Sabine's escape. He had been the only one in the camp so far to speak up on Sabine's behalf, but even he had not planned on her so quickly escaping her binds.
The others in the camp reacted much more decisively. One of the Orcs witnessed the escape, and shouted the order for the camp to come to arms. They were all on their guard after the previous night's events, so it took only moments for each of them to rush through the camp towards her. But, even they showed their fear once they realized that she now wielded the staff. Instead of attacking her immediately, they moved to surround her. The armored warriors, including the Orcs and Nord shield-bearer, took positions in front of her. The Redguard conjured up a storm atronach and stayed behind the warriors, while the Breton male started charging a fireball off to her right. The Argonian, meanwhile, strafed slowly to Sabine's left in search of an opening. They were certainly an impressive force together, but Sabine had little cause to be afraid. She was now capable beyond anything they would expect. Even Meesei would be Sabine's clear inferior in her current state. It was possible that Yerig and Do'rhajul might be willing to aid Sabine, given recent revelations, but she could be quite confident in the fact that she did not even need them to demolish any resistance against her.
When they had power over Sabine, almost every member of Arinette's team had committed terrible atrocities against Sabine. Some were more reluctant than others, but they had each participated in torturing a helpless woman. Now, Sabine held all of the power over them, and it was entirely up to her what she did with it. They were at Sabine's mercy.
I feel things could get interesting, particularly if the balance of power shifts. Though, I am about to get to bed. I should be able to respond in the morning, if you have by then.
Arinette's gaze jerked back to Sabine as she spoke. "Just give up with your lies, dog. You aren't convincing anyone." She said, further intensifying the pain she was sending into Sabine's body.
"I don't know about that. I think it sounds more credible than you think." Yerig remarked. Stepping up alongside Do'rhajul, he handed the book to him.
"What is that?" Arinette demanded, quickly bringing her attention back to Yerig. Though, her question went entirely ignored.
Yerig opened up the book to one of the early pages as Do'rhajul took it in his hands. "Do you recognize this, Rhajul?"
Do'rhajul took the book, curiously reading through the words in front of him. Curiosity that quite quickly developed into concern. "I...yes, I believe I do. I recognize the handwriting. My head researcher, back in Elsweyr. I must have read thousands of reports from him; it looks like he penned this, but...what am I reading here? This doesn't seem right."
Yerig shook his head lightly. "It doesn't. I read it. All of it. I marked some of the more interesting pages for you. I don't even want to describe the horrible experiments that book contains. But it also sounds like whoever wrote that book was kidnapping people, infecting them with lycanthropy, then just let them loose."
Do'rhajul looked to be at a loss. "What...is this, Arinette? Do you know about this? I don't want to believe this could be...possibly true."
"I don't know where in Oblivion he got that book, but it has to be a forgery. There is no other possibility. What sense would it make for your own researcher to be spreading lycanthropy behind your back?" Arinette asserted.
Do'rhajul continued to stare down at the book. "This would have to be an exceptional forgery, Arinette."
As the argument grew more intense, it also presented an opportunity for Sabine. Arinette was quite thoroughly distracted by Do'rhajul and Yerig, but she still had her staff resting against Sabine's chest. It was resting so close, right within Sabine's reach, and unknown to Arinette, Sabine was perfectly capable of freeing herself. The stake through her palms was not too much wider at its base than at its tip, so though it would be painful, she could pull her hands from the tree. Beyond that, Sabine had also built up enough magicka at this point for a fairly significant spell. If she chose to take it, there was a real opportunity to grab the staff right from Arinette's clutches.
"I don't know about that. I think it sounds more credible than you think." Yerig remarked. Stepping up alongside Do'rhajul, he handed the book to him.
"What is that?" Arinette demanded, quickly bringing her attention back to Yerig. Though, her question went entirely ignored.
Yerig opened up the book to one of the early pages as Do'rhajul took it in his hands. "Do you recognize this, Rhajul?"
Do'rhajul took the book, curiously reading through the words in front of him. Curiosity that quite quickly developed into concern. "I...yes, I believe I do. I recognize the handwriting. My head researcher, back in Elsweyr. I must have read thousands of reports from him; it looks like he penned this, but...what am I reading here? This doesn't seem right."
Yerig shook his head lightly. "It doesn't. I read it. All of it. I marked some of the more interesting pages for you. I don't even want to describe the horrible experiments that book contains. But it also sounds like whoever wrote that book was kidnapping people, infecting them with lycanthropy, then just let them loose."
Do'rhajul looked to be at a loss. "What...is this, Arinette? Do you know about this? I don't want to believe this could be...possibly true."
"I don't know where in Oblivion he got that book, but it has to be a forgery. There is no other possibility. What sense would it make for your own researcher to be spreading lycanthropy behind your back?" Arinette asserted.
Do'rhajul continued to stare down at the book. "This would have to be an exceptional forgery, Arinette."
As the argument grew more intense, it also presented an opportunity for Sabine. Arinette was quite thoroughly distracted by Do'rhajul and Yerig, but she still had her staff resting against Sabine's chest. It was resting so close, right within Sabine's reach, and unknown to Arinette, Sabine was perfectly capable of freeing herself. The stake through her palms was not too much wider at its base than at its tip, so though it would be painful, she could pull her hands from the tree. Beyond that, Sabine had also built up enough magicka at this point for a fairly significant spell. If she chose to take it, there was a real opportunity to grab the staff right from Arinette's clutches.
Sabine's defiance resulted in a predictable amount of anger from Arinette. In response to Sabine's shouting, Arinette took her dagger and stabbed it straight into Sabine's mouth, through her tongue, and into her throat. Of course, that only lasted a few moments before she once again mended together the mutilating wound at a seemingly impossible pace until Sabine was back to normal. "You're far too stubborn for your own good. But don't worry, I think a few weeks, or months, will be enough to change your tune. Now, I have other matters to tend to."
Arinette turned her head to the others surrounding them. "Make sure our guest here does not stay comfortable."
With Arinette's orders, the others in her team took over Sabine's torture. They were not even instructed to ask her questions; they were merely ordered to periodically extend her suffering. The first of the Orc twins took the simple, but effective approach of beating her with his fists. He broke her nose, a few ribs, and left her face mostly black and blue. The second Orc was much the same, except he also made occasional use of the whip. Once they left, others from the camp started to take over. The Breton male made use of a particularly refined form of illusory flames, which had the effect of causing all of the pain of being burned, without actually harming her. The Argonian ripped off each and every one of Sabine's fingernails and toenails. The Redguard conjurer preferred lightning, while the Nord archer made many precise cuts across her body. All the while, Do'rhajul did not take part in any of the torture himself, but neither did he stop it. He just stood nearby, standing guard. Arinette was called over occasionally to heal Sabine and make sure she had not lost too much blood, but it was not until hours later that she began to take another turn at causing Sabine yet more pain.
Yerig had not shown his face for any of the hours of torture. However, just as Arinette was stepping up in front of her, Sabine might have been able to notice him emerging from one of the extra tents they had set up, carrying something familiar in his hand. Although, he may have been distracted from that sight when Arinette pressed the end of her staff against Sabine's chest. It was a similar form of torture that the other Breton had used, as her body quickly started to feel like it was ablaze with intense flames.
"This is...this is just...barbaric. I can't take this anymore! That girl...what could she possibly have done in her life to deserve this?" Yerig shouted. "Rhajul, how can you stand for this? The man I knew all those years ago would never have allowed this to happen, and he certainly wouldn't have tried to get me to help with his madness. You brought me here to kill monsters, not...this." Yerig shouted.
Arinette turned her head and glared at the Nord. She looked almost like she was ready to turn her staff on him, but a quick glance to Do'rhajul tempered her anger. "You are, Yerig. This isn't a 'girl,' this is a monster. An abomination to everything that is good in the world. If it wasn't for our numbers, she'd be just as quick to tear you to pieces and eat you for dinner. You saw what happened last night, how ferocious these beasts are. What you see here is a monster."
Yerig clenched his hand into a fist. "Oh, I see plenty of monsters, but none of them are nailed to a damn tree!"
After Yerig's shouting, Do'rhajul did his best to speak in a more calming tone. "Yerig, my friend, I understand. Believe me, I understand. I never wanted this either, but you have to understand that this is for the greater good. If we don't succeed, the whole of Tamriel could be corrupted by these beasts."
Arinette turned her head to the others surrounding them. "Make sure our guest here does not stay comfortable."
With Arinette's orders, the others in her team took over Sabine's torture. They were not even instructed to ask her questions; they were merely ordered to periodically extend her suffering. The first of the Orc twins took the simple, but effective approach of beating her with his fists. He broke her nose, a few ribs, and left her face mostly black and blue. The second Orc was much the same, except he also made occasional use of the whip. Once they left, others from the camp started to take over. The Breton male made use of a particularly refined form of illusory flames, which had the effect of causing all of the pain of being burned, without actually harming her. The Argonian ripped off each and every one of Sabine's fingernails and toenails. The Redguard conjurer preferred lightning, while the Nord archer made many precise cuts across her body. All the while, Do'rhajul did not take part in any of the torture himself, but neither did he stop it. He just stood nearby, standing guard. Arinette was called over occasionally to heal Sabine and make sure she had not lost too much blood, but it was not until hours later that she began to take another turn at causing Sabine yet more pain.
Yerig had not shown his face for any of the hours of torture. However, just as Arinette was stepping up in front of her, Sabine might have been able to notice him emerging from one of the extra tents they had set up, carrying something familiar in his hand. Although, he may have been distracted from that sight when Arinette pressed the end of her staff against Sabine's chest. It was a similar form of torture that the other Breton had used, as her body quickly started to feel like it was ablaze with intense flames.
"This is...this is just...barbaric. I can't take this anymore! That girl...what could she possibly have done in her life to deserve this?" Yerig shouted. "Rhajul, how can you stand for this? The man I knew all those years ago would never have allowed this to happen, and he certainly wouldn't have tried to get me to help with his madness. You brought me here to kill monsters, not...this." Yerig shouted.
Arinette turned her head and glared at the Nord. She looked almost like she was ready to turn her staff on him, but a quick glance to Do'rhajul tempered her anger. "You are, Yerig. This isn't a 'girl,' this is a monster. An abomination to everything that is good in the world. If it wasn't for our numbers, she'd be just as quick to tear you to pieces and eat you for dinner. You saw what happened last night, how ferocious these beasts are. What you see here is a monster."
Yerig clenched his hand into a fist. "Oh, I see plenty of monsters, but none of them are nailed to a damn tree!"
After Yerig's shouting, Do'rhajul did his best to speak in a more calming tone. "Yerig, my friend, I understand. Believe me, I understand. I never wanted this either, but you have to understand that this is for the greater good. If we don't succeed, the whole of Tamriel could be corrupted by these beasts."
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