Private Tales Double lives

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Ipatiy Kozlov​

---

It was one of those nights in Vel Anir. When the great city, pride of humanity, became blanketed in the cool embrace of night and it's imposing towers became the center piece of what was otherwise a beautiful display of human achievement. But it also displayed humanity's darkest traits, hiding just underneath. Most lanterns and torches having long burnt out, leaving only the light of moons and stars to guide the bold and the wicked through the labyrinth of streets. Some of which became black as pitch. Among these sorts was none other than The Black Knight herself. The newest of stories whispered by the common man, This knight was barely even a footnote in history yet. Still, her presence was felt more and more each night. Particularly in the graveyard. Thugs, gang leaders, corrupt guards, all sorts of nasty folk were turning up dead or went missing over night. Cut by a large blade, and a few with cut throats post-mortem. The initial motive was clear enough, but it seemed far more personal than just some vigilante, judging by that peculiar calling card.

Only a rare few had seen the culprit since their killing spree started a year go; A lithe figure clad in blackened armor for which they were named, and wielding a mighty blade of human design.

Tonight, She stood atop a rooftop in that sable armor, leaning against a chimney as to veil herself in shadow and avoid the skyline, that moon and star may not reveal her to those below.
The street below was not a popular one, certainly not by nightfall either. The particular gang who controlled this block were just as likely to mug a passerby at night as they were to extort by day. They had gathered here, tonight, to exchange ill gotten goods on a black market of sorts. One the black knight had been searching searching for over the past week.

A covered wagon was rolled in, drawing her graze from afar. As did the shifty merchant at it's reins.

They spoke with the other criminals for a time and the merchant's bodyguards departed the wagon itself, preparing to show off the goods. All was as expected until the cover was pulled from the wagon, forcing the knight's eyes to widen at the sight; Humans. Elves. Women and children mostly. One of which she recognized... A young girl with black hair, barely even a teen. She lived in the same area as the knight herself, both having seen one another's face every day whilst she lived her double life. Until a week ago, when she went missing after a mother carelessly left her out of sight while visiting a friend in another part of the city.

This is who she came for. Well, and to add the shifty merchant and his kidnapping thugs to the list of missing persons, of course...

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Ipatiy was no stranger to the black market, she used it herself on occasion to fence stolen goods she pilfered from arrogant nobles homes or to buy certain items she couldn't get elsewhere. While usually one to ignore the ongoing of the 'other' trades done by the varying merchants that made up this cities underbelly certain actions caught important figures attention. Considering Ipatiy's ability to meet said indivudals during her day job, they on occasion requested some 'house cleaning' from the maid.

Tonight was one of those cleaning days, the usual elegantly dressed maid making her way across the city roofs towards the meeting place her sources had provided. Donned in a dark hooded robe to hide her usual harmless looking attire. "So, this is where the 'cattle' is being sold, seems who ever is wrangling them pissed off the wrong person". She mused to herself. Most big wigs usually didn't care much for the slave trade but every now and then said traders kidnapped the wrong person. Leading to her having to make an example out of them, a not so subtle message to keep their grubby fingers where they belong.

Sneaking down onto a balcony overlooking the deal the women's violet gaze shifted from target to target. "More then I anticipated.... oh well I needed practice fighting multiple people at once and the contract didn't say anything about not killing more then one, I don't think people would mind a group of thugs winding up dead and missing their coin". The silver haired maid reaching into her cloak, pulling out two wicked looking daggers, eager to pounce upon the merchant the moment he opened the cage that housed the slaves.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

If there was one thing she appreciated about humans, it was that they never look up...

The scum continued their dealings cluelessly, arguing about the price for a time before coin was finally exchanged. And with it- the key was revealed. Not by magic, thank the gods, but a plain and physical thing of dull iron tethered to the slaver by a leather cord around his neck. The risk of summoning and unsummoning would have made this a lot more difficult otherwise.

'Well, there's my cue' she thought idly, almost careless of the acts she would commit only a moment later.



As Ipatiy Kozlov would soon discover, she wasn't the only silver haired thing stalking in the night. In a flash, as if summoned for this very purpose- The figure leapt from a nearby rooftop into the night sky, White hair aglow with moonlight flowing behind them, casting the barest hint of reflection off the blackened plate they wore.

And with the clatter of steel, and gasps of the dead men walking, The Black Knight appeared. Her silvered hair hadn't even settled on her back before the men present began drawing short swords, axes, clubs and knives. 'Pitiful weapons' were the words she'd have used, with few able to pierce the plate and maille about her form. But more so, they were a poor match for the tools of her newfound trade. And as she stood, raising a single gloved hand to the sky- It came.

In a burst of shadow and purple hues that seemed to bend the light around them- A sword appeared in that single hand, though it's hilt was long enough to be gripped by two or more. It's blade, longer than this knight was tall, waving in and out of itself like static flame and gleaming in the moonlight, came to rest over her shoulder.

"Let them go, or this gets bloody" A soft voice spoke, unbecoming of a night creature such as she.

But of course, she wasn't here to speak. She knew they weren't either, as evident by the deafening silence that overtook the street in that moment. But alas, golden silence was quickly broken as the nearest thug went for her with the spiked rear of an axe. At least someone knew their dull blades wouldn't be enough to pierce her plate. A fact that many before him had been ignorant of thus far.

Still, it didn't do him much good. The poor bastard was nearly cleaved in two almost as soon as she burst forward. She was fast. Wickedly so! The great blade was lodged far into the man's torso before most realized he had struck first. His armor spike hadn't even reached her yet, nor had he the time to scream out in pain by the time he realized the blade had severed vital flesh.

By the time he did scream out, several more reluctantly rushed her from both sides, forcing her to use the man's broken body as a shield, giving her time to at least attempt pulling the damned thing from the corpse-to-be. All the while, her vambrace was being used to deflect blades. Certainly a heart pounding experience, but she had fought worse before.

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

For the first time this week an acutal expression appeared across Ipatiy's face, her eyes watching with intrigued interest as a black armor clad individual leap down from what she assumed to be the roofs. Aided by magic if the purple light summoning that sword was anything to go by It made for quite a quick but imposing figure once they had landed, even when surrounded by armed thugs. "So, that is the black night"?

She had heard rumors about them, talk among criminals and nobles alike, discussing a heavily armored sword wielding vigilante that disposed of undesirables among the criminal underworld. "To see them here, this makes things easier, I just hope they don't take my mark". Ipatiy leaping down from her balcony position, aiming for one of the thugs at the rear, timing her strike as the iron clad warrior made their own at the thug with the axe. Her own targets chocking gurgling sound and subsequent thump as their body hit the ground, brought about by a dagger down the back of her neck, synced up with the screams of the man with a sword through their body, a perfect distraction if she was to say.

Time almost seemed to stand still for a moment as the two individuals revealed themselves, Ipatiy's purple gaze directed at the warrior for a moment, giving them a nod. Then, all hell broke lose, the idiots in front not catching the memo that the 'thing' holding such a sword with ease could wipe the floor with them. Ipatiy rolling her eyes at their fool hearty attack.

"I usually don't kill unless paid for but these people are just asking for it". Her blunt words catching the ear of one of the rear thugs, himself turning around with surprise upon hearing the unfamiliar voice. Only to find their world view suddenly going black as Ipaity stabbed the man through his eyes with her razor daggers. The maid letting his body slump to the floor with the rest before rushing into the fray, weapons bloody and eager for more.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

'Another?'

The surprise Maid's nod would receive only the a subtle turn of the black knight's head as their form caught her eye in the mere second that her foe relented, as their blade was pinned between her arm and breastplate. Just long enough to get a look over her shoulder. There simply was no time for more.

I usually dont kill unless paid for but these people are just asking for it.

At least, not until an unfamiliar voice drew the attention away for but a moment.

She used the brief pause to elbow her opponent in the face, forcing a flinch and therefore a fraction of pause in which she could slam her small hand down on his with unnatural strength, forcing fingers to open and his blade to fall. Before it had even clattered against the cobblestone, he had already been grabbed the neck and thrown forward so that he too would fall to the ground.

With a sickening tear, Her large sword was then ripped from the other corpse and swung upward at the thug approaching from her peripheral. He was cut down, and then so too was the grounded scum he had just thrown to the floor.

They relented now, seeing this woman finally free her weapon of their 'comrade' and cut down two more. The added variable of a second newcomer certainly didn't look favorable in their eyes either. The knight certainly felt more confident, at least.

"Screw this...!"

The slaver immediately stuffed the key down shirt and tried to board the wagon, with his bodyguards following in kind, quickly throwing the tarp back over the cage as to keep the bound and gagged prisoners from the public eye, should the townsfolk step out to investigate the commotion.

Seeing this made the knight burn! Eyes of white-hot silver bouncing moonlight as she broke off from the current engagement, making a mad dash for the wagon with blade over her shoulder. Someone had to get there before the horses took off!

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

A short sword was trusted towards her chest by Ipatiy's newest opponent. The maid slipping from her hooded robe, dogging back and letting the man stab into it. His sword getting stuck and wrapped up in the thick fabric and her own blades came down to slash across his chest, herself now fully revealing her form to the group gathered. "That was my favorite cloak, you will be paying for that".

Her remark dead serious, kicking the wounded man in the side while bringing her blades in a defensive manner. Their opponents seemingly second guessing the situation as the infamous black knight and assassin maid were their apparent foes in this engagement. Said slave trader voicing his opinion quite loudly as he tried to high tail it from the battle. "Sorry sir, I can't let you do that".

Ipatiy gripping one of the daggers by the blade and throwing it at said trader. The metal weapon aimed for their throat while the maid ducked and weaved her way through the crowd of thugs making a beeline for the carriage I question. Another blade dropping down from the inside of her dress onto the ground, quickly kick flipped back up and into her free hand. "I'm going to need that dagger back once we are finished".

Leaping up and onto the side of the carriage, digging one dagger into the tarp holding the prisoners while the other prepared to clash with the bodyguards present.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

'Talkative thing' She thought, watching the maid catch up with her 'But skilled'

Admittedly, The Black Knight had only shown basic skill thus far. Raw strength over precision, though she seemed oddly agile with that long blade of hers.

She leapt over the choking slaver as he crumpled to the ground with a knife in his throat, bringing her sword up from the side, batting away a bodyguard's weapon with shear force alone, and cutting across his mid-section with unsettling ease. Most of the thugs were in in disarray now, fleeing or forming up in an unorganized mob. Either out of their own bravery, stupidity, or perhaps fear of their own leader. She didn't know which, nor did she really care. So long as these people went free, she would deal with the rest in due time.

Her 'partner' for the night seemed to have the other bodyguard more than distracted enough for the knight herself to focus on stopping the horses who were now starting to panic. They were not war horses after all, not accustomed to death like their military cousins or the vigilante herself. She was quick to snatch the reins just as the horses took their first steps towards freedom, jerking at them slightly to demonstrate that someone else was in control now.

Of course she only had one free hand with which to battle now, and the those who remained were quick to take what few advantages they could get. Some came running at her, others toward the maid. One that tried was cut down as the knight's unnatural strength kicked in again, her blade being swung through the air in a wide arc in front of her as to dissuade the approaching ruffians. The tip, now dripping crimson, clattered against the cobblestone to one side, and then to the other as it was hastily swung once again. They could hear her quickening breath from behind that helmet, and so a few pressed their advantage.

She felt a sharp pain in her thigh as one lucky soul was able to slip past her meager defense and bring a mace her leg, which was only padded and hardly enough to negate the blow entirely. Next he struck her in the head, only to receive an even heavier blow from the woman's pommel, knocking him out at best.

She was on one knee now, still gripping the horse's lead as they further panicked, and shaking her head at the ringing pain. She'd have to either find a way to tie down the horses quickly or just kill the poor things if this kept up. She was sure they'd do a lot more than ring her bell if they got that close again.

"Aagh!"

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Hanging off the side of the cart significantly reduced her dexterity, something she mainly used to avoid getting hit. Her duel with the slavers body guard being more of a close match then she would like, Ipatiy ducking out of the way of his sword as it slashed towards her face. Catching the maids cheek, splattering a steak of blood onto the tarp covering the cage, leving a nasty gash on her perfect face. "Gah, I will admit that was a good shot".

She replied, dagger being brought up quickly to parry the mans blade to the side as it came around for a stab, sending him off balance a bit. Ipatiy using her elevation to drive her foot into the guards chest and push him back onto their as, using then newfound freedom to pull herself up onto the cart.

Once more reaching under her skirt to reveal a pair of hand crossbows, their loaded bolts being sent flying. The first aimed towards the tripped body guard the second at the man armed with the mace currently bashing her temporary ally in the leg, before he was knocked back by the black knights pommel bash.

The lighter bolts wouldn't kill like a normal crossbow, but the pain of them logged in their chests should be enough to put them out of the fight for now. "You know know to drive? I think it would be best to withdraw for this situation, just keep that slavers body on the cart I need it for proof of kill". Ipatiy stated, grasping her apron to wipe away the blood trickling from her bleeding face, using the other free hand to hastily reload one of the crossbows.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Something zipped past her and into the man she had just been fighting. It sounded almost like a small bow, but it was missing that natural twang and the flexibility of elven wood she had been so used to only a year ago.

Though still dazed, she took a glance at the miniature arrow that would surely take her opponent out of the fight, and then to it's source. 'Bleeding' she wished to tend their wounds after this, though she suspected that it wasn't as bad as it looked nor did she doubt the maid could take care of herself.

You know know to drive? I think it would be best to withdraw for this situation, just keep that slavers body on the cart I need it for proof of kill.

"Most wise," She would grunt while slowly backpaddling to the wagon. Another man tried press his luck with a much longer club but the Knight simply leapt backwards like some sort of weightless spirit, landing in the driver's seat immediately sending the horses into a full sprint

"Holdfast!"

The remaining gangers simply watched as the duo of silver haired maidens sped away with the prisoners who were either gasping or worriedly whispering among themselves.

"Easy," She called to them from over her armored shoulder "You're nearly there, to freedom!"

Then her silver eyes became locked onto the road as she called to her mysterious ally.

"Thank you kindly, stranger. Now, where to?"


Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Ipatiy moved to sit on the back of the cage as the cart began to speed away, loading and firing the odd bolt towards any of the thugs that tried to give chase. Holding them off before their newly acquired cart slipped into the night and out of sight around a corner.

Letting in a held in sigh she crawled back to the front, pulling a bandage from her apron pocket, cleaning and dabbing the wound up before dressing it as the fellow silver haired women spoke up more then 2 words. "It is of no worries M'lady, as for where to go I know a place we can take care of things discreetly ".

The maid helping to direct the cart through the winding back alleys to a safe house of sorts, leaping from the vehicle to open up a gate leading to a shed of sorts connected to said house. "We can stay here for a bit, I think my employer would be thankful his daughter was rescued and that I have proof of the kill".

Herself dragging the slumped slavers body off the cart, removing and cleaning the dagger sticking out from it's neck. "If you need to rest their are plenty of beds around, I believe you took a nasty blow to your leg earlier if I am not mistaken madam".

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"Among... other things" The 'Knight' chuckled nervously

Her voice was oddly soft and youthful, now that she wasn't yelling from behind that black visor. Ironically enough, this figure of whisper and ghost stories was even forced to look up at the maid, if only a little.

She performed a strange gesture as she departed the carriage, sending her great blade from whence it came in a peculiar puff of black smoke. And as she walked past, directing the horses inward, droplets of blood followed. They came from the back of her leg, which seemed far less armored than the rest of her form. Though her thoughts seemed to wander towards her ally instead.

"And what of your own wounds? Your face is marred by blood"

A tone of genuine concern was voiced, and a brief survey taken of the little safe house. It looked comfortable enough, relatively speaking, though she knew it wouldn't be a long stop this time. After, she seemed more focused on the deceased slaver and his bloody wounds, silver moonlight bouncing off her intense stare from beneath steel.

"Hm. You may only have just the night to tend them, if it is serious. People will ask questions and at least one of these people will answer. Someone will come looking here"

"Mmh..." Ironically enough, the black-clad stranger seemed to stumble a little, coming to rest her weary body against the wall. "Bloody hell..."

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

"That is some useful magic you have their". Ipatiy commented, seeing the women's sword vanish, she was interested to know more but had enough sense to not pry into the clearly secretive women's abilities. On the subject of blades and her wounded face. "It stings, a lot, but I've had worse, what is more bothersome is how my face is no longer perfect, I'll need to spend a pretty copper piece to get a good healing salve least it leave a scar". A hand rubbing over the applied bandage, herself wincing a bit.

"But a wound like this does not effect me physically unlike yours". A finger pointing towards the darkening patch on the black nights leg as Ipatiy moved to the back of the cart. Picking the key from the merchants body and unlocking the cage, helping them from their confines. "What these people chose to do after tonight is not my concern, I was hired for a specific job and while I am more then happy to tend to your and their wounds after today, unless 'motivated' I don't have much reason to stick around".

It was clear the maid wasn't doing this out of any moral obligation, simply completing a job and wanting to make things even between the two fighters. The last thing she wanted to do was be in debt to another for helping her during a mission. "Now again I would insist that you take a seat and allow me to treat your injury since it seems evident you wish to save these slaves, that is unless you can do it yourself".

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

What these people chose to do after tonight is not my concern, I was hired for a specific job and while I am more then happy to tend to your and the their wounds after today, unless motivated I dont have much reason to stick around.

"Ah..."

All she needed to know about the stranger, really. Though she appreciated the assistance, of course. Let alone that her own intentions were not as noble as she wished.

She would take a peek at her leg, only now noticing the dark blood trickling down. While not as severe as the blow to her head which caused her to falter, she could see how it would be concerning to the maid. Allowing them to assist however could potentially reveal one of her secrets, assuming hunger had not set in and hampered some of her other abilities. Though given the maid's reaction to her little party tricks, perhaps she could pass it off as a spell if her wounds had indeed sealed already.

"I... suppose It does need tending, yes"

"Although," The knight would turn to her ally, forcing herself off the wall "I've one more favor to ask: If it requires tending, it must be done in private. And the kidnapper's body, I need to inspect it after. Alone"

It was suspicious, that much she knew, but she simply must replenish her strength tonight. Especially if the wound hadn't sealed yet.

"Lastly, The helmet stays on. It simply must stay on"

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Ipaity gave a shrug before nodding to the women’s request. “That sounds acceptable to me, I will just take a few items from the slavers body. Things that are his assets that can easily identify him to my employer”.

The maid commented bending down to remove a signer ring and some other personal effects from the body. “As for your helmet I am assuming you have your identity to keep secret that when revealed would make things problematic for you hmmm”? She teased a bit, moving back to the black night, reaching into her apron pouch again to retrieve more of her medical items.

“Come, there is a private room at the back, one of you people, help move the body with us then give some privacy”. Ipaity ordered the freed slaves, seeking to get some use of them before they scampered off. The maid leading the small group to a small private bed chamber, with simple bed, draws and a tub for bathing.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

I am assuming you have your identity to keep secret that when revealed would make things problematic for you hmmm”?

"What if I were to tell you that I am merely shy?" She chuckled softly. Or at least, it sounded like she might be chuckling under there.

In truth, she just didn't want to risk the mercenary maid's tongue being bought. If she were to recognize her while doing chores for the priory it would be disastrous. Though, she suspected herself of misjudging the woman still. After all, she could have hid in the shadows and let the 'black knight' handle it on her lonesome. Nor did she have any obligation to tend her wounds, far as she understood it.

Perhaps a short chat couldn't hurt. Get to know her mysterious ally a little better.

"Mm. I will see to the body. I'm sure these people have seen enough blood for one night"
Not that she helped, really. If anything she probably shed more blood in front of them than any other rescuer would or could have.

She would simply drag the body behind her, the dead weight seeming oddly light in her hands, given she wasn't exactly a large woman herself. She even had enough breath to speak undisturbed

"I really should express my gratitude properly, you know. I am unsure what I would have done, had the horses fled or I not been able to free a hand for battle. For coin or not, you've done the city a service tonight"

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

“If i am to give an honest answer madam I would say that is bullshit. But again it’s not of my worries”. She replied as the two made their way to the back room, body being dragged by the injured but still strong iron clad women. Closing said door once away from the captives as the black knight became to compliment her for tonight’s
work.

“While I try to only do work when paid for It would be a lie that ridding the city of such people wasn’t a good thing”. “They are leeches, don’t make or trade anything, only take”. A bit of visible anger on her face. “But what irks me so much is how they are unkept, messy and non professional. Anyone that is selling a service or good should try… no just do it to the best of their ability”.

“Those men are just looking to make a quick buck and don’t care how sloppy it is”. Again it a bastion of morality but if Ipaity hates anything it was a half done and rushed job without proper effort.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"Suppose I am in good hands then?"

It was a refreshing outlook to the black-clad woman, who had sampled life from men and women of both higher and lower caliber before now. Still, she couldn't help wondering if Ipatiy Kozlov had also sampled life on both sides, as her anger could perhaps stem from a history? Perhaps even a woman of such refined tastes could have been forced into this line of work by men of lower caliber and not choice. There were many possibilities, and she loved putting them together like a child with a puzzle.

Though it would be hypocritical of her to ask now, having given so little in return.
"Mm. I must admit that my own actions were not born solely of charity"

She would sit the body upright against a wall, staring at it's wounds before reluctantly leaving to tend her own. And finally, she finds a chair to sit for the first time tonight. Gods only know how sore she was from that bumpy ride!

"Your prize there possess something of a more... supernatural value to me. It would seem that, though different forms, we are both bound by material currency"

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

“The best for the moment, no doubt their are others with better healing capabilities then me but they may… ask question that I don’t care much for”. Ipaity starting with removing the blood soaked gambason, dabbing a cloth with medical alcoholic mixture. “This will probably sting”.

Her hand tenderly wiping over the wound, cleaning and disinfecting it, herself putting pressure on it to stop anymore bleeding.

“This mixture should also assist in helping the wound clot and has some minor pain killing effects….. just a light drop of certain poison I often use in other applications but for such a small amount it will only numb the immediate area”. She explained.

The maid leaving the fabric applied to the wound while grasping a bandage. Quickly taking it away before precisely wrapping the leg with it. Leaving the black night with a neat and from wrapping. “There, that should hold you for a while, I suppose I should leave you with that body for, well what ever it is you do, not my problem”.

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

The Knight would roll up her black trousers once the arming wear had been removed, revealing skin so pale that the smooth near-porcelain visage seemed to almost glow in the dim light. Stranger yet, Her soft skin was cold to the touch... As suspected, there was indeed a cut. No, more a gash that might leave one to wonder; how was she not limping? and yet it did not bruise, nor did it bleed quite as profusely as one would expect.

Though this wound did sting, as evident by her wincing.

just a light drop of certain poison I often use in other applications but for such a small amount it will only numb the immediate area”.

"Ah... clever!" she grimaced behind the mask. It was clever, even the thought of an "overdose" was not at all a comforting one.

When at last her tender care had concluded, she would sit there for a moment, gently tracing the bandages with a gloved finger while observing her companion's handiwork.

"You've experience, I should think?"

Nevertheless, she had other priorities. Priorities which the curious maid was soon to remind her of.

I suppose I should leave you with that body for, well what ever it is you do no my problem”.

"Mm. perhaps one day I shall tell thee. For now however, I appreciate both thy secrecy and gentle aid"

---

She waited until the maid had given privacy to begin her feeding, approaching the body almost as soon as the door had shut. This accursed hunger of hers made her chest feel as if it would cave in at any moment, and the pain was only getting worse every minute she went without indulging it.

Carefully, or perhaps weakly, she would lift the helmet from her head in both hands, peering in to check the padded interior. No blood, so at least she wouldn't have to wash her silver hair in secret.

Her face however, was another story. Gently setting her helmet aside, she would lean in close to the deceased slaver's neck, tilting her head curiously from side to side while inspecting the wound. The maid outside was surely a good throw, as the wound was deep and had stained the man's chest almost entirely in it's moist aftermath. It would be one of her messiest feedings, certainly requiring that she clean herself in the mirror later, but she could hardly complain in this state.

With a sigh, she slipped her fangs into the wound where they would not leave a mark in the skin, and began drinking the cooling blood...

---

It wouldn't be more than a few minutes later that she finished, blood on her breastplate and collar now. She was in the middle of sliding that blackened helm over her face when she called to the door behind;

"You may come in. Thank you, for thy patience" She sounded short for breath, having rushed her feeding some. And yet more lively, having warmed her core if only a little. She could already feel her limbs changing; no longer subtly stiff! even the pain in her head was now fading.

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Leaving the room Ipatiy pondered the words of the women in question while waiting. Thinking back more she started to somewhat connect the dots. The pale skin, cold to the touch, inhuman strength and endurance. While on their own not much of a red flag together they were odd.

Pale skin and cold to the touch could have been easily waved away as simple lose of blood and perhaps the cooler weather. But such a wound and subsequent blood loss to make the skin go white would cause even the most hardened warrior to faint or lose balance, “Strange, could they… no their are many races… but I’ve worked with those ‘kind’ before”.

Herself thinking back to a certain individual who’d needed her to remove a few individuals that knew about their ‘true’ identity. ”Can’t make assumptions, would need more evidence…. Then again not my problem”. Herself making sure the slaves were all settled before getting conformation about being allowed back into the room.

The maid coming back in again, cocking an eyebrow at the somewhat more ‘lively‘ looking women. Her purple gaze shifting around the room to see if she could spot the mans body. “That was certainly a quick recovery, I won’t ask what you did with the body, only that I hope things went well”?

Lilette Black-Briar

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"That was certainly a quick recovery, I won’t ask what you did with the body, only that I hope things went well”?

"Quite so!" The Knight responded clearly now, having not secured the visor. Her voice was soft, delicate but dignified. Certainly youthful for a knight of such strength, and yet there she was.

Then, just as before, the helmet was slid over that head of stark white hair and the iron maiden's voice again distorted. She would stand then, turning to face Ipatiy Kozlov with a rejuvenated sigh.

"Between what magic yet remains in this living coil mine, and thy gentle care, my core warms and my essence restores" She said excitedly!

"Ah, but what if thee? Thy prize be relatively untouched and ready, but is there some way I might repay thee? I feel that I am more capable of such a feat now"

In truth, Lilette felt as if she could take on the whole world right now, finally her old self again. The gnawing hunger in her chest was replaced by soothing warmth and the stiffness of her limbs now softened and lively. Even her posture seemed just a little straighter.

"Never did I think that a maid would aid me in battle, but a welcome surprise it was! Please, tell thy story sometime? Such strange fancy this image conjures"

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

Ipatiy cocked an eyebrow at the silk smooth voice of the women who seemed so gruff and rough but moments ago. Perhaps more magic to hid her identity? It just posed more questions among the piles of ones she probably wasn't going to bother trying answering.

"If you are looking to repay me money always works, if not other rare valuables also are acceptable, though if you have connections of people looking for.... my sort of services f you could pass them to me I would call that a decent compensation". After all connections and friends were just as valuable as actual gold.

As she commented on not expecting a maid to aid her in battle a somewhat coy smile came over Ipatiy. "Well, that is the whole point. People don't expect maids to be so deadly, makes for quite the disguise, but even more so considering I am an actual maid". It made Ipatiy's would be cover all the more realistic and hard to see through.

"As for my story it is not as grand as one would think, simply myself trying to stream line my source of revenue in a way that combines multiple occupations together. I myself am a maid, assassin, boy guard and merchant all in one". Said maid giving a graceful curtsy towards the knight.

Lilette Black-Briar