Private Tales Give Me Bloodsport

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria's face was impassive as she overlooked from the man made wooden tower of the outpost the Anirians had constructed. It had been abandoned once the forces had advanced further into Cortosi land, but it served as shelter as the Initiate and her partner were tasked with a mission. She had been doing a lot of those since being deployed into the war. It was the Dreadlord's way of keeping her occupied as they waited to call upon her specific talent to turn the tide.

This time, she was on a mission to send a threat.

"Kael." She called out aloud, summoning the other Initiate that was tasked to work with her. They were told to use stealth before dealing the blow that would throw their enemy into disarray. "Go see if that road is being used to cart supplies, will you?"

At first, she did not like being paired with the likes of Kael and his ability to shift. It was too similar to that of faeries and elven magic, but she soon saw past that thinking the moment he became helpful.

They had taken up this position to get a better view of the map before them. First they would chart a course, then they will use it to pin down where their enemy hid, and lastly, Vittoria will send a message from Vel Anir.

Simple, straight forward.

 

[Kael]

“It is.” Kael responded in almost dull fashion that denoted confidence and boredom. The tracks were not so far off than an eagle’s eye could not make out the wear of recent hoof prints, or the trail of a wheel.

“Activity no more than a week’s past I’d guess.” He affirmed. Was it their target? He didn’t know, but someone had been there that wasn’t supposed to be. It was odd being paired with Vittoria. The attack on Altera was much more of what Kael expected. Every ability there was focused, even subtle. The focus of quiet killers of men. Such things were not beyond Larrainth, but she had a raw unmistakable strength that suited her for the front lines in ways few ever could be. If she was here with Kael it meant one of two things. Either the target held truly monstrous strength, or they were here to send a very public message about the lack of privacy Cortos had. There was also the possibility one or both of them were being implicitly trained in each other’s field. Kael considered that remote enough to put out of his mind for now.

"Would you prefer the hunt or the snare?"

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

It was a question that sparked quite a delight within her.

Her gaze flicked to the side, preceding her head moving in his direction, and Vittoria gave him a small smile of amusement. "Hard to decide, you see, Kael." There were exciting notions to both options, but of course, they would need to choose one and form a plan around it.

"There is a thrill when it comes to the hunt. Especially when your prey catches wind and are aware everything it not as it seems. Watching them be alert, to ignore fear... Rewarding once you do catch them." She leaned against the wooden railing, it moving with her little weight of pressure, as if she knew any further and she would be falling forward with the loose rail. "But a snare is a game of patience and victory. To lull them into a sense of security before they are trapped within your game."

Vittoria bristled out air, debating on her answer carefully.

"The latter, then. What better way to send a message than to make that camp realise they were being watched?"

 

[Kael]

The snare then. Kael had a preference for such things, as they could choose to gain information prior to springing the trap. Today that meant more days, or perhaps even weeks, spent with the young lioness. And unlike say, Kil or Nas, the probability Vitt would do something upon discovery was certain. There was no margin for error, but then again there never was.

“Find out who’s coming, where they’re hiding, why they’re here, then stop it and send a message.” Kael summarized. “Simple enough.” The pairing made a bit more sense now. They were both an intimidation tactic. They could pick one Cortosi off and Kael could replace. When the time was right bring Vittoria in. Let a survivor see Kael change from a friend’s face. Observe the wroth of Larrainth. Come back home and tell them any familiar face could be the enemy. Tell them of the power displayed by one still a child. It was a tactical cruelty Kael could appreciate, were it for the repulsion it caused him.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria's lips lifted at the corners.

"Except, we do not need to know why they are here, Kael." She shifted to stand upright once again, turning to face hhim. There was something there in her gaze, something rarely shown until she began courting Kilien. It was a warning, a harbinger. "Our mission is to send a message."

Snaring them was half the fun. They would ensue panic, perhaps only a few would escape, but they needed bodies to deliver their message to their Cortosi numbers.

"If you do not have the stomach for it, Kael, I do not mind doing this alone. What I have planned for them is... perhaps too gruesome for even the most seasoned Dreadlord."

 

[Kael]

Kael resisted rolling his eyes. While Vittoria’s words seemed honest from her mouth there was a certain theatre to them. Few could repeat them with the same tenor. What was the ‘proper’ Dreadlord response?

“Gloating is beneath you Vittoria.” Kael said, deciding on a response. It was almost a kindness to be excluded from what was to come, but such things were always noticed. He would rather stand here than in interrogation with Harkenov on why he didn’t have the guts.

“If Cortos has found a hole, or an informant, it’s worth discovering and reporting.” Kael pushed. “But if it’s a message we’re ordered to send it shouldn’t affect our timeline. Agreed?”

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria's gaze cut to him with an icy edge. Her lips skewed to one side, as if caught between a smirk and a sneer.

"Gloating is beneath me, Kael. You are not attuned to people as I had thought you to be if you mistook my brand of kindness and thoughtfulness to be gloating." And she stared at him longer than usual. She was assessing him, her stillness the only indication that her mind was working.

Dismissing him, she turned to head to the narrow and steep stairs that would take them down from the tower and into the confined outpost gates. From below, she called out an answer.

"We have a mission to complete, Kael." If he had a surname, it would have been much easier to use that instead, but the use of his given name was enough to keep him concentrated on listening to her. "Nowhere in the missive does it state we are to investigate. This is war, may I remind you. None of us are heroes." She stood out from below the tower, peering up at him with a face set in stone. Battle ready. "Do not deviate. This mission calls for efficiency."

Her arms moved to fold across her chest. "Come now. We must begin."

 

[Kael]

Attuned? To people? Me? Kael thought. He didn’t know if the statement said more about Kael’s ability or Vittoria’s perception. Not to mention the offer as a 'kindness'.

"I misunderstood your offer, but it does not change my answer. I still have much to prove before graduation. I cannot be seen as needing help if I am to secure good placement." Kael deflected. It was partially true. He had gained some notoriety, as far as potential students were concerned, by killing the Doge of Altera. At the same time he was still a definitively lesser strength than Larrainth, or some of the other powerhouses in the class.

"As for the mission, I agree. I do not wish us to overextend, just to be mindful if an opportunity presents itself." He concurred. Kael knew well that he was no hero.

"By your lead." Kael said, and would follow Vittoria.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

It had been quite a time since she felt irritation due to another's mere presence, but Vittoria was now feeling that way once more in regards to Kael. There was something strange about him, and she wondered briefly if it were because he was not grown from a young age to fight like a great many of their class.

Vittoria pushed ahead, leading the duo down the road before cutting into the woodland. The trees were thin, but were close together in some parts that it began to feel like a maze. There were signs of recent tracks, but none of them fresh. Possibly used when the fort had been occupied.

"What are your thoughts on slaughter, Kael?" She asked after a few minutes. Her gaze kept darting to the left, tracking where the road was as they moved ahead. It was an important question. Would he have problems witnessing her go about the orders they were given? To deny the very weapon she was honed to become, now finally being wielded by Vel Anir? She needed to know, needed to plan. Any hesitations from him, then she had no choice but to go alone.

 

[Kael]

It seemed Vittoria was unsatisfied with his answers so far, continuing to press the same angle. How best to deal with it? If they were in the Academy perhaps he’d simply blow it off as he’d answered before, but here they were on assignment. Here trust was valuable, as it saved precious time wondering a partner would do before making a decision. The open question weakened them both, and made the mission more dangerous.

“If you’re asking again of my stomach, don’t be concerned. We have a job to do. I will do my part, including not interfering with yours.” His reply was quiet as they stalked along the road, keeping his senses open as they walked.

“If you’re asking philosophy . . . it is a tool. It should be used to enable victory, not because it is familiar or enjoyable. As with any other tool in war.” He said coldly. In truth he found most played the card for pleasure, but that did not mean it wasn’t tactically appropriate today. Kael stopped for a moment and audibly sniffed. His nose elongated and continued to sniff, occupying a shape not unlike a dog. A couple more sniffs and it returned to its normal shape.

“Chicken, cooked and seasoned. Four or five hundred yards north east.” Kael said to Larrainth. Signs of life deeper in the forest. Someone who definitely wasn’t supposed to be here.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria supposed the real test of Kael's mettle was through demonstration.

It was his nose and warning that pulled her from that imagination, of the bloodshed and carnage she would soon perform, and that the fact someone lay ahead north east, cutting across the road they were following. "Hmm..." came her thoughtful hum. "If they are Cortosi, perhaps leaving them alive and so close to the killing fields will send our message across to their people."

She had outgrown the fear that followed her name in Vel Anir, ignored the hesitations of those higher up and being entrusted to oversee her as a soldier in their ranks. A weapon forged and made, waiting to be wielded. For many years her power had been feared, had been told to be patient and her time will come. It had been what her Uncle Connall told her to do.

Vittoria Larrainth was moments away from exerting her true might.

"Your call, Kael. Should we engage with those cooking their meal, or shall we leave them be?"

 

[Kael]

There was a hunger about the girl. There was much said about Larrainth in the halls of the academy from cadet and proctor alike, but none doubted her sheer determination.

“We need to confirm they are Cortosi.” Kael replied. His instinct was to get more information but as Larrainth said that wasn’t in the missive. “If they are Cortosi we engage. We spare one and I follow, in a shape they haven’t seen. If they crosses the border I leave ‘em. If they doesn’t then what I smell is just a scout, and we’ve got another camp to find.” Kael looked at the girl and pondered her strength. Was he fast enough to give a merciful death to any of the Cortosi before they were unmade? There was a good chance not. That even could have been the point of their pairing. He reasoned he had a better chance with the bow than taking the shape of a stone golem or something similar. He was no slouch with it, especially given recent training.

“Agreed?”

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

It was smart, but Vittoria was not so quick to say such a thing, as it were her nature to not extend such nurturing. She was one to give her cohorts something to refocus and have drive. A worthy opponent.

"Yes, and if there is another camp, then it is our duty to report it." Vittoria agreeing with him was compliment enough.

She moved her hand to motion the new direction they would move in. They way she moved was alert, hand braced by her thigh where daggers were strapped to her person and not concealed beneath her flesh, thanks to her other ability to conceal. If she had worn gloves, she would have extended a hand to Kael and cast a concealment over the both of them, but alas, her gloves had been ripped to ribbons days prior.

"Time for you to lead the way." Vittoria said as they dashed over the vacant roadway and back into the thickets of woodland.

 

[Kael]

The would-be assassin was more comfortable in an urban environment, but was adequately trained for the forest was well. He pulled out his bow and knocked an arrow before lowering to a crouch and rushing forward. He moved with speed, yet his footfalls never seemed to result in a crumbling of leaves or snap of a twig. His movement seemed erratic, not following a straight line to their objective, but instead adapted to the forest around them. It would not do to have the odd flying bird or rushing squirrel give away their location. It did not take long for the pair to reach the camp.

Kael did not know the extent of Vittoria’s senses. How far she could see, smell, or other detect what was out there. He suspected there were none who knew the true breadth of her skills. He did know from his own abilities to borrow the eyes and ears of those best suited that the camp held five humans, including a woman who adorned her shirt with the red sun of the radiant church. Once the initiate was in range the arrow left it’s bow, plunging through the neck of the woman on the assumption she was the most dangerous target. He wondered if Avery would appreciate the shot, but wasted no time loosing more shots. A second member of the Church raised a hand, scorching the next two incoming arrows with lightning.

Kress.

The curse went through his mind. If the Radiant Church had gotten through things became significantly more dangerous.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria appeared by Kael's side, a hand outstretched and fist curling closed. The offender gasped, staggered forward with difficulty. She held him there, letting her magic course through him slowly. A third came to stand, to attack, but they too were stunned by how quickly she reacted. Her magic was potent as was it inescapable for the likes of them.

This was not her show.

"Shoot them both. I will apprehend the rest." Her hand dropped as she stalked forward into the small clearing they had gathered in.

The two she had disarmed now fell to their knees, clutching at their limbs, their chests, their throats, as if fighting something from within.They would die slowly, their organs so damaged they were in the early stages of failure, moments away, but they were not to leave any survivors... except one.

Vittoria flicked a knife with rapid speed, catching her target by the throat and thusly eliminating yet another threat.

All that was left before her was a young girl. She looked to be Vittoria and Kale's age, but Vittoria did not let that give her pause. Not when they were on mission.

 

[Kael]

The enemy mage was quickly crippled by Vittoria's magic. Kael did not hesitate, quickly knocking an arrow and releasing it towards the magic-wielding assailant and his cohort. With Kael having taken the three shots, aided by Vittoria's disabling, and her thrown knife taking another, the only remaining enemy was a young girl, about the age of an initiate. Perhaps a bit younger then the two, but perhaps not. Her sandy-blonde hair was wrapped in a braid that ended just at the nape of her neck, while her clothes were a simple brown.

He saw her right hand drop and Kael dropped his bow, grabbing her wrist with his left hand and stopping it from reaching the knife at her belt. His right elbow slammed into her chest and she dropped to the ground. Kael released her hand and pulled the knife as she fell to the ground. On the ground she froze a moment, catching her breath as Kael had 'knocked the wind out of her'.

"You're not fast enough to try anything like that. Especially not with the other knife in your left boot." Kael said to the girl bluntly. He took the knife he'd taken from her belt and threw it into the dirt. She'd just witnessed the two of them kill four men in less time than it took to skin the chicken on the fire, but still had some spirit. Why?

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria smiled.

It was never pleasant to see her smile, not when the muscles in her cheeks ached quickly and twitched from strain, as if holding the smile was the one thing left untrained about her. She smiled at how quickly Kael acted, saving the poor girl from being on the receiving end of Vittoria's magic.

"Anirians are a blight!" The girl seethed. "You will never stop until you get what you want! All of you are fed greed each morn!"

Vittoria circled around both Kael and the girl.

"We have some questions to ask you. Answer them truthfully, we shall spare you." Was it a lie? None of them would be able to discern such a thing watching Larrainth. She cleared her throat, calling for the attention of hateful blue eyes to narrow her way. "How many camps are there in this region?"

 

[Kael]

The girl cursed the pair and Kael resisted the urge to roll his eyes. A true believer this one. It seemed she realized Kael’s correctness, as despite her curses she didn’t make any sudden movements. As Vittoria began her circling Kael went over to the girl’s fallen companions and began to go through pockets, boots, and packs. He kept an eye on the interrogation as he did so. It was interesting to Vittoria in such an environment, unknown by their enemy. At the Academy he’d seen her silence conversations with a glance, wordlessly provoke a result. Here the establishing of authority was part of the negotiation, not an established pretext.


“Camps? Seventeen! Or seven. Or three.” The girl replied. Kael noticed her eye shift over to him as he moved from one body to the next. He pulled off the corpse’s boot and felt around the edges. A small piece of paper found his fingers, and Kael pulled it out. The girl’s eyes looked away towards Vittoria. Kael unraveled the note and whistled. He looked over at the girl and a guttural series of growls left his mouth. The girl trembled.

“Why would a band of humans have a note written in Orcish?” Was a rough, overly polite translation of his growls. By her response she understood him, and didn’t expect either of the two to understand. Kael handed the note to Vittoria, though not expecting her to be able to read it.

“An Orcish poem.” He said to her in the common tongue, aware the phrases seemed a bit contradictory. “Ciphered for something.”

A cipher he was fairly certain the girl knew.