* Bryce had been on patrol when the first fires started, the Ourani mages attacking the patrol boats in the harbor. Him and Red both had jogged to the nearest set of stairs up the wall and looked out at the incoming attack. Most of the people in Sinari have never seen battle, a large percentage of the Watch is teenagers with no experience. The healer just watched quietly, a faint furrowing of his brow the only indication that h
<Bryce> indication that he was troubled at all by the scene unfolding.
<Darren> Red had pushed his way up to the head of the line to help Calanthar, not that he'd needed it as there was no further attack at that point. After the meeting he'd gone back inside the gates like he was told, expression pretty much unreadable as he strode away from the gate and wandered toward town. That was certainly another first. At least on the scale that it had just happened. His mind was still flying through details as well
<Darren> -- tails as well as lamenting the fact that he'd -chosen- to be here just over a month ago.
* Bryce hadn't really been with Red.. That was a lie. A filthy lie from a mind that can't keep details straight. Oh, but the healer SPOTS Red, and he'll trot down the icy steps and run over to meet him. "This attack.. there will be people that are hurt. I am going to see if I can go help them."
<Darren> He looked up as Bryce spoke, looking blankly back toward the way he came. "I'll help you." It's all he can get out at the moment, the full scope of the attack perhaps hitting him a little more now than it did before now that he'd had time to take it in. He'd planned on finding Bryce soon enough after the event anyway to talk. "So what's going to happen now?" It was more of a hypothetical question as there wouldn't be any
<Darren> -- ouldn't be anything known about the guard's reaction to the terms of their surrender. He certainly didn't want to surrender.
<Bryce> "I do not know.. I am not.. certain.. of why this happens." Bryce's grasp of Sinari politics is nearly non-existant. He's not actually from this city, doesn't even know who the Ourani are other than that people here don't like them. He starts walking for the gate, back the direction Red just came from. The only sidetrip that he makes is to jog down a block to the barracks to get some medical supplies. Luckily, no one in the W
<Bryce> one in the Watch questions his desire to help people, and the person watching the gate is too stunned by everything going on to realize that the person requesting to leave is one of the Watch members meant to be kept in. Or maybe he doesn't realize that Red is a friend of his, and not just another patrol partner.
<Darren> Well then, it's a lot less complicated as he doesn't have to explain the situation to the gate guard. Red knew enough about what was happening to get by. He was absolutely certain he didn't like the Ourani and he wouldn't mind putting up a fight against them if the opportunity presented itself. "I can't pretend to know everything but I know what's happening. They're attacking us and trying to take the town for themselves."
<Darren> -- emselves."
* Bryce gives Darren a flat look. That much was obvious, even to the quiet and seemingly slow-witted doctor. Still, he doesn't seem afraid at all as he heads out onto the wharf. Concerned? Yes.. but not afraid. The first place he heads is immediately to that burning warehouse. Some of the dockworkers didn't retreat and are trying to put out the fire, rather uselessely. Bryce looks around, trying to see if there are any injured.
<Bryce> any injured. Him and Red both are dressed as Watch soldiers. Dangerous uniforms to be in.
<Darren> Red didn't seem to be too bothered by what he was wearing. And he really hadn't meant for that comment to be informative, just a statement of fact. "Do you think they'll put up a fight against three airships and all those men?" He knew that Bryce didn't know a ton about it but he knew more than Red did about the town and how much force the guard actually had.
* NuclearShower (Bifricate@dm-10163.dhcp.mrqt.mi.charter.com) has joined #Sinari_Wilderness
* NuclearShower is now known as Una
<Bryce> "I think if we fight, we will die." His opinion of the Watch is very low, and he's being terribly honest right now. It seems that things at the warehouse are under control, and he ignores questions from the maritime guild members and just starts walking along the wharf, heading slowly in the direction of the fires burning at the end of the docks, where all the Ourani are unloading. He's moving slowly because he's carefully lo
<Bryce> carefully looking for injured people, but also so the Ourani don't think the pair is stupid enough to attack.
<Darren> He moved along with Bryce, eyes flicking up to the Ourani and staying there a long moment. "I think there are worse things than death." He looked over then to Bryce to finish his thought, shaking his head. "But then I don't have anything to lose. Or anyone." Well, he was slowly making friends. He didn't even own a home yet. If there was a resistance formed he'd join it rather than back down. Regardless of everything, pol
<Darren> -- verything, politics aside, he had a thing against tyrants.
<Bryce> "There are things worse than death, yes." Bryce won't argue that one. But, he's not entirely certain if this is his fight. He has no particular loyalty to Sinari, but then, he had never had one towards Myrken either. He had simply tried to help people and was swept up in the tide. They're still a good distance from the enemy soldiers down at the end, too far to make out any details in the still-falling snow. Bryce pauses, the
<Bryce> pauses, then he moves towards a small alley where a couple of men are huddled over another laying prone. The injured fisherman is bleeding from wounds he gained when they were hiding near one of the catapults that was put to the torch. "Red.. can you watch for trahble?" He asks before kneeling down to explain his intent to help.
<Darren> Well, helping people is more the thought than loyalty to Sinari. Being part of the guard was just a convenient way to get paid for accomplishing the same end. He nodded to Bryce's question, moving nearby to give a slow pass of his eyes over the surrounding area. This is something he prefers to be doing, being out here getting involved instead of going somewhere to brood and worry.
<Bryce> They'll likely both be in trouble for it later if Devregon hears of it. Still, Bryce isn't one to stand by and watch others suffer. He bandages the man up, staunching the bleeding and assuring the sailors that if they take him to the gate they'll be let in and to take the fisherman straight to the infirmary. He's good at what he does, keeping a level head while treating the wounds, ignoring the sounds out in the harbor of sol
<Bryce> harbor of soldiers rescuing their comrades in the sinking airship, buildings on the harbor burning. When finished he rises and moves to Red's side. "I do not know if they will attack if we get closer.." He says, gesturing towards the end of the wharf where the enemy soldiers are unloading and comandeering the tavern for their own use.
<Darren> He looked off toward the tavern as Bryce spoke up after treating the fisherman. His eyes narrowed toward the soldiers, the man losing his tongue for a moment. "Fuck 'em." Though it might be a good idea to hide their uniforms somehow. He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if Bryce wanted to attempt getting closer either. There was only so much the two could accomplish on their own like this.
* Bryce pulls off his winter hat and runs a hand through the shaggy blond locks. He watches quietly, observing the behavior of the enemy for a long moment, standing motionless. "They are letting the people leave.. I do not think they will attack if we say what we are doing." He doesn't sound entirely confident of that, but there are several buildings burning and there had to have been people nearby when they were struck.
<Bryce> were struck.
<Darren> He wasn't as optimistic as Bryce claimed to be in this case. He wasn't stopping the doctor though. "Unless one of them is looking for a reason to fight. But let's hope that isn't the case." He nodded forward, indicating that Bryce should lead the way as it was his idea. He came off a lot more disarming than Red did and would be the most likely to talk his way through this.
* Bryce isn't fool enough to disarm himself, but as he slowly approaches the organized chaos on the dock his resolve weakens. They're still far enough away that words can't be heard, and Bryce isn't going to yell his business if no one is asking. He spots a body then near a pile of debris, and moves quickly, checking to see if the person is still alive. When he finds a weak pulse he begins pulling away the masonry and wood pinn
<Bryce> and wood pinning the poor man down. "He is still alive, quick!"
<Darren> Well, he hadn't said that Bryce should run up to them and volunteer information. He didn't -want- to end up dead but that should be reserved for when the Ourani ask if ever. As he's called over to, Red moves quickly up to the debris to help Bryce lift it free, careful not to dislodge anything that might fall on the man as he's freed. Hey, at least he was doing something.
<Bryce> Maybe the Ourani don't care, or maybe they can see that the two crazy men are just trying to help people. Either way it seems that luck is on the side of the two Sinari guards. With Red's help they dig the man out. Before he lets Red move him he leans close to check the man for breathing, pulse, and tries to determine if they *can* move him. "We need to wait.. let him breath better for a short time. Okay?"
* Una is now known as Norvo
<Norvo> Luck was only on their side for so long. As it was a small group of Ourani soldiers detached themselves from where the rest were unloading and closed the distance between them. There was a man leading three others, all bearing close-quarters weapons. The man in the lead had a metalic rod tucked in the front of his belt, but his hand was steady on the hilt of a longsword at his waist. "What have we got here? Local guard
<Norvo> guard force?" There was a nasty grin on his face as they halted perhaps ten feet away from Bryce and Red, the others waiting for orders, it seemed, though looking ready enough to attack should the need arise.
* Bryce is leaning over the fallen civillian still, carefully checking over the man, straining in the fading evening light to try and see if his pupils react at all when the eyelids are peeled back. He checks the pulse again, concentrating so closely to feel if it's stronger that he doesn't even notice the approaching soldiers until they're upon him. Pale green eyes lift to consider them and he speaks in a determined voice, "
<Bryce> determined voice, "I am a doctor. This man, he is very hurt."
<Darren> He didn't want to invite trouble and yet the group that had happened upon them was already showing signs of wanting to incite it. He lets Bryce speak first in favor of keeping himself calm, standing next to the pair and keeping his hands away from his weapons. For now. "We'll be on our way as soon as he's out of danger."
* Norvo man in the lead grinned at Bryce's answer. "That man looks about dead. You can come have a look at some of our injured. Private Simms took a nasty spill on the ice earlier." His tone suggested that Bryce shouldn't be wasting his time on those unfortunate enough not to be Ourani soldiers, and his posture communicated his confidence in his safety as well.
<Bryce> "He is still alive." The healer replies in his soft voice, watching the soldier warily. He still has his fingers to the unconscious man's wrist, his attention split between the Ourani and feeling the pulse. It's not getting any weaker, and that's a good sign. "We need to get him out of the cold." He says quietly to Red.
* Bryce is now known as Sinari
* Pauline is now known as Bryce
-> *nickserv* identify autumn
<Darren> Too bad Private Simms didn't break his leg on the way down. Let the Ourani think whatever he wanted about his safety. While Red wasn't a stupid man, aregueably, he was impulsive. If something went down he'd be more than ready to jump right into it no matter how many soldiers were standing there. He went to kneel down as Bryce spoke up, taking a position at his feet to help lift should the other man help with the shoulders. "Re
<Darren> -- oulders. "Ready when you are."
<Norvo> That was when the man closed the distance, stopping a pace away from the pair of Watchmen. "He's alive now. He won't be for long. Don't waste your time." That was almost an order for them to move along. His hand switched from the hilt of his sword to the rod at his belt. He didn't draw it, but his fingers gripped it with a certain tension. The other three remained quiet, but closed the distance as well, allowing t
<Norvo> allowing their leader to continue as he was.
* Bryce pulls his gloves back on, moving to heft the invalid up at the shoulders. When Norvo moves in with his threatening posture the healer hesitates, not because he's considering leaving the civilian behind, but simply to consider his response. "We will take him. We do not want trahble." Bryce has no armor, just thick layers of clothes under that white shirt. He lifts then, intending to act on his words. He can always save the man once they're inside the city again.
<Bryce> can always save the man once they're inside the city again.
<Darren> He had so many things he'd like to turn and say. Most of things involved speaking after he'd already plunged his sword through the leader's chest. "If it's a waste of time you should be applauding or efforts. After all it causes you less trouble, doesn't it?" Surprisingly enough he manages to keep irritation out of his tone. Yeah, it was little wonder the Ourani were hated. So far each one he'd met had gone out of their way
<Darren> -- of their way to try and provoke violence.
* Norvo turns a flat look on Red, a condescending smirk on his face. "You wasting your time on the dying doesn't help our injured any, now does it. Can't make you stop, though, can I?" That was when his smile twisted and one or two of the men with him began chuckling. It seemed they felt otherwise.
<Bryce> "You have doctors, yes?" He shifts to get the poor unconscious sod in an easier grip under the arms, not about to dump him back on the ground now that he's lifted him up. If Red is prepared he'll start moving for the gate, as if silently daring the Ourani to stop him. They won't provoke Bryce into a fight, he's far to one-track minded when it comes to helping people that are hurt.
<Darren> Let them try. It would be easier to deal with killing them or being killed than it would stand in the situation they were in now. At least in the former he knew exactly what to do. "I'm going to help this man. Kill me if you have to." He had his hands hooked beneath the ankles of the one he was carrying, helping Bryce begin carrying him off toward the gate.
<Norvo> His face darkned, but then one of the men behind him spoke up, his voice barely loud enough to carry to their ears, the words lost to them. The leader scowled, but then the smirk returned. "Hope you feel good about carrying a dead man back inside your gates." He withdrew the rod and sketched a salute at the pair then rested his hands on his hips, watching them make their progress across the snow.
* Bryce glances up again, nodding to the man. "Thank you.." He's relieved, to be truthful. Luckily they aren't trying to take one of their own soldiers back, that might have gone worse. The Ourani might have decided to just kill the doctor and be done with it. Brad will kill him if he finds out about this little escapade. "Do not tell my brahther of this, please.." He murmurs to Red.
<Darren> There was one good thing about being out in the Watch uniforms. If they were killed out here while trying to help their wounded they could end up being martyrs and spurring others to cause trouble for their invaders, as little a resistance as that might prove to be. He didn't spare a second glance toward the Ourani. "I wasn't planning on it, but why not?" He wasn't going to say a word though he was curious as to why he shoul
<Darren> -- o why he shouldn't in the first place.
<Norvo> Oh, the men shouldn't be concerned for their own lives, they weren't the one being refered to as a dead man, after all. After they've gone a fair distance away the leader motions with the rod a few times, muttering under his breath, and as he completes the action, steam begins escaping from the wounded man's mouth. It starts as steam, but quickly becomes smoke, accompanied by the distinct odor of roasting flesh.
<Bryce> "He will be angry." He answers simply enough. He knows Brad, and his twin is already mad enough with him. No need to add to that by letting him know about unneccessary risks. Bryce notices the strange steam and smoke, pausing in his labored movement. Then the smell, unmistakable to the healer. He gasps in horror and quickly lowers the now quite-dead sailor to the snow, looking over at the Ourani group in shock.
<Darren> When the steam begins to rise, his fingers slacken. The Ourani's words had become clear. He spun from where he was, shouting back over the ice toward the small squad. "You want to kill a man on his back when he hasn't a chance to fight back?" He stopped to look back at Bryce with a glare, speaking to him. "Go back inside, Bryce." With that, he started over toward the soliders without giving a look back to the healer. Rea
<Darren> -- he healer. Reason had just been abandoned. They weren't going to stop until they goaded one of them into fighting. Unfortunately, Red was going to be that guy.
<Norvo> "Just sped up the inevitable is all I did." The man flashed a grin at the irrate Red then turned his back on him, motioning for the other soldiers to move back to the main body. he was either brave, cocky, self-confident, or stupid, and it was up to Red to decide which.
<Bryce> Red is quite a bit older than him, a good decade, but the healer can see the foolishness of what his partner is about to do clear as Hetian day. He hurries after Darren, reaching to grab him by the sword arm to try and drag him back. "No! Do not fight! Do not do this!" He'll only get himself killed, especially since one of them is a mage. The healer would feel horribly guilty then, since it was his idea to come out here in the first place.
<Bryce> come out here in the first place.
<Darren> It wasn't going to end like that. He stopped some distance away to shout at the group as his arm was grabbed, biting back whatever else would have been said as he turn from where he was with gritted teeth. "No matter what happens, I'm going to find and kill him before this is over." He kept right on walking whether Bryce kept up with him or not, heading for the gate with clench fists and an expression that laid somewhere bet
<Darren> -- somewhere between grief and pure rage.
* Bryce wipes sweat from his brow, or maybe it's just condensation from all the snow. He's no less upset by what was done, but he's levelheaded enough not to be taunted into a fight like that. Red stalks for the gate, and the healer looks back down at the body, disappointment on his face. He could have saved the man. Now? Well, as noble as it might be to carry the corpse back, he's not sure he can manage it on his own and doesn't trust the Ourani enough to attempt it. He does lean down to wrap the man's cloak around him and then drags him out of the immediate pathway. A small service.
<Bryce> own and doesn't trust the Ourani enough to attempt it. He does lean down to wrap the man's cloak around him and then drags him out of the immediate pathway. A small service.
|