Cat Fight

Fred looked at the Princess from Aqualaria. He did not really know her, even on the way down the mountains of the Shreken she did not say too much about herself and her people. All he knew of the amazons were the stories - they were a fabled race of warrior women whose dark side included the subjugation of men - in their fields; and whose bright side included the subjugation of men - in their beds. He shook his head, a journey into Aqualaria would take months, they would have to prepare horses and supplies and bedding, using the King's Way would take them south to the foothills of the Shreken and eventually the Tumbar Road, but then they would have to skirt the Goth Mountains on the other side until they reached the Via Matriarcha which led to the heart of Aqualaria. Fred's thoughts were broken by female voices.

"Fredrigo cannot go with you," it was Exotica.

"He is the Dragon-Slayer, it is fitting that he take me to the Queen Mother, we shall fete him in our land," that was Astra.

"Catfight!" that was Velus.

Just then a bright light appeared within the dining establishment. All turned, stared, and were suddenly blinded! All but for Astra. Her warrior reflexes and instincts kicked in and she shielded her eyes in time, she also hurried away from her table and dove behind some wine caskets. Aqualarians were a crafty race, they eternally remained alert to danger, especially when not in their own element. Astra had queried about being taken home, not simply out of the desire to take the Dragon-Slayer away from Caemlyn, but also because she did not know this place, did not know this city - grand in scale yet dirty and filled with alien odors and smells.

An arrow shot out from the bubble of light and imbedded itself in the table, at the place where Astra had just vacated. The tavern was now a roar of chaos as patrons, half-blind, attempted to flee the light, or attempted to attack it. Fred knew his duty lay in protecting the King's daughter; he shielded her from the light as best he could and rushed towards the nearest exit. He was shoved and bumped and almost run over by tens of other patrons. Velus was still blinded and stunned and cowering under his table.

The light was still bright, but Astra now saw the shape of a figure emerge from that light, a shape covered in a hooded cloak. The figure held two swords - one short, the other long. The figure lept up onto a table and stared down upon the mass of humanity. Astra, who had been given a sword earlier in the day, also lept up - she somersaulted into the armed stranger. The stranger fell but quickly rose up and went after Astra. The two engaged in a battle the likes of which had not been seen in downtown Caemlyn for quite some many years. Unfortunately, in the wild mad rush some candles and lanterns were overturned, in the kitchens the staff also left fires burning freely. Wood of the tavern walls alighted and soon smoke and flame lept within the dining hall as well.

Allarian men with broadswords stabbed at the stranger and received an opposing blade in their own eye or cheek, their shoulders and arms. Screams began to fill the place as did more smoke and the heat of more flame. The Allarians fled, not knowing who or what this danger was, but knowing that the smoke alone would be their undoing. Yet still two figures fought on: Princess Astra and the stranger.

Fred had finally gotten Princess Exotica away from the hall, she was now in the security of the Caemlyn Guard. The Guard also stood outside the smoking and burning hall. Three Guardsmen and Fred rushed into the hall to evaluate and deal with the threat. Others, outside, were rushing to the nearest wells and gathering buckets to put out the flames.

The four Allarians, now inside the hall, witnessed the Aqualarian dodging, evading, and retreating from a most formidable opponent. They also arrived in time to see the Princess block the enemy's long sword with excellent skill, but receive a fateful blow as the shortsword was shoved into her belly and up into her lungs and heart!

"Holy CRAP!" that was one of the Guardsmen.

The four rushed the killer, but the killer now dodged and dove into the bubble of light. Within seconds the light faded, leaving behind only the smell of sulpher. With timbers beginning to crash down, Fred and the Guardsmen gathered Astra's body and rushed out.

1. The Caemlyn Guard were stunned, Fred was outraged, the King was relieved only that his daughter was not harmed but inflamed that some intruder had sullied his demesyne; with magick light involved, the Whitecloaks were called in...
2. Follow the light...

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